May 8, 2020
Dear Tulane Community,
As President Fitts mentioned in the View from Gibson last week, we have established committees of top leaders, students, faculty and staff in academics, research, facilities, housing, dining, workforce and other vital areas to gather information and make recommendations to map our return back to campus for the fall semester. Our goal is to return to on-ground teaching, learning, living and working without compromising the health of our academic community, or the community-at-large.
The reopening committees, which are functioning as quick-turnaround work groups, are submitting recommendations to the coordinating committee for review. These recommendations will address topics concerning rapid testing, contact tracing, de-densifying highly-populated areas on campus, safe use of our facilities including elevators and bathrooms, modifications to housing and dining plans, changes in classroom settings, adapting technology and other innovations that must be undertaken to reduce risk for our campus community.
The committees and their leaders are as follows:
- Coordinating Committee — led by Provost Robin Forman and Chief Operating Officer Patrick Norton
- Education — led by Provost Robin Forman
- Facilities & Campus Operations — led by Randy Philipson, Vice President for Facilities Management and Campus Development
- Health Strategy — led by Scott Tims, Assistant Vice President, Student Affairs, Campus Health
- Housing Re-opening — led by Brian Johnson, Assistant Vice President Housing/Residence Life
- Workforce Resumption — led by Shantay Bolton, Deputy Chief Operating Officer
You can view a listing of all current committee members here.
In several weeks, reopening recommendations will be shared university wide with a period for review and input to follow. Decisions regarding the timeline and requirements for opening, informed by input from the university community, will be communicated shortly thereafter.
With the city's Stay at Home Order expiring on May 15 and broad public discussion about reopening, we understand that there are many questions regarding Tulane's workforce. More information will be forthcoming soon regarding a phased reopening for employees.
Please submit your feedback — we are actively monitoring all input throughout this planning process.
Robin Forman
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Patrick Norton
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
