- The recent "blog issue" that gained the school some notoriety sparked the townhall meeting.
- Despite a "headcount stabilization" policy that's really a hiring freeze, the school just hired two new professors, one in Civil Law and one in Tax. A third diversity hire is anticipated in the semester.
- On the student side, applications are up 6-7% this year over last year (and last year was up 15% over the prior year). This is an encouraging sign when numbers are down or flat nationally.
- On the recent blog incident: "The decision to have a party with a theme that perpetuated an ethnic stereotype was insensitive." Though it was noted the event was not malicious, the event did "cast the school in a very unfavorable light." The SBA President was present and spoke with regret. The photos were, in fact, set at "private" for New Orleans and Tulane friends only. Bottom line: "Those particular attitudes should not have a place at the table in this institution."
- The incident at the Children's Museum was also discussed. It was suggested that students need to take affirmative steps to address these issues - and it was suggested that the SBA... reduce the number of bar reviews, inviting speakers on diversity or cultural sensitivity instead.
- Open Floor:
- An older student carped about FB and the hit on the value of his degree.
- The harmful effects of Facebook, alcohol, penalties, etc. were discussed
- A student called for an official response to all the instances. The dean defended against the need for such a response, especially in light of the private nature of the latest incident (it was not an official event, no need to re-open the scab, etc.).
- A Willy Nelson ringtone intruded.
- One bearded student laid out a convincing litany of items from the past year illustrating the failure of the administration to communicate with the student body - "everything is rumor."
- "I think we could do a better job disseminating things to you."
- Another student spoke about the BE situation and the confusion surrounding it.
- I seconded the speaker about the need for better communication and focused specifically on the failings attending the Chao Tang incident.
- One final item of interest before I departed: The Code of Professionalism that was voted on in November to replace the existing Honor Code was, in fact, passed - as I finally learned officially in the new DICTA. However, there is another Code of Professionalism that was drafted by students after the Children's Museum incident - which is aspirational in nature - that is still under review by the administration and will be approved by students at a later date (very confusing).
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