I urge the board to consider the dual college plan. Dissolving Newcomb is not the solution to Tulane's issues, post-Katrina. 'Renewal' does not mean 'out with the old'. I will be thoroughly dismayed and disgusted if the board votes to eliminate H. Sophie Newcomb and all that it represents in both tradition and women's education. I also do not agree with the virtual elimination of the Engineering program. Not only does it force paying students to 'go away' (at a time when Tulane needs tuition/income), it weakens the school, not to mention eliminating any influx of talented engineers into the New Orleans community, where they have never been needed more than they are now and in the foreseeable future.

Dear Sirs; The continuance of Newcomb College as an independent degree-granting institution is important to women's education throughout the modern South. Newcomb College has both the quality of teaching and high standard of thought that should be preserved, without substituting ersatz 'traditions'. Do not destroy something real that has not been damaged in the aftermath of the huge destruction suffered by our great city of New Orleans. This would be an act of gross folly in the aftermath of a great tragedy. Please re-consider this ill-judged plan. Yours faithfully, Dr Dorothy Connell London, England

It's time for all of us to focus on strenght & renewal for all areas effected by Katrina. Honestly, I'd never heard of Newcomb College until today. After reading about the possiblity of losing 120 years of women's history. It makes me really angry that it is the 'best' solution. Best solution for whom? Frankly, it stinks. I think this is job for Oprah & Martha Stewart- Let's face it, without the vision of Josephine & Sophie Newcomb, would Oprah be one of the richest women in the world today? These girls need to put their name on this & really get this problem in the spot light-not to mention throw some $$$ in the kitty

there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the name of this institution should become NEWCOMB-TULANE UNIVERSITY or a variation of this. Perhaps THE SOPHIE NEWCOMB-PAUL TULANE UNIVERSITY. i believe this is a great idea for many reasons including what the newcomb endowment has done for Tulane. thank you very much.

Please keep Newcomb! It is so unique and special to have a school like Newcomb in the United States and in New Orleans. Thank you

I urge the Task Force to endorse the recommendation that a two-college system be implemented at Tulane, Newcomb College for women students and Paul Tulane College for men students. As the recipient of a women-only high school education, I can give living testimony to the academic research showing that education for women produces far more women leaders. A quick summary of this is contained, for example, in the book Educated in Romance, which tracks how women's career goals drop over the course of a fully co-educational college experience. Newcomb College offers the best of both worlds: a women's college at a co-educational university. It would be folly to scrap this college that has done so much for women's education. What would be gained?

The term "Under the Oaks," represents Newcomb -- sitting under the oak trees that survived Katrina would reflect the spirit of that phrase -- Strength and Survival. Newcomb College of Tulane University has served me well and it would be my hope that it continues to serve college women for years to come. Newcomb is what I have put on resume after resume since I graduated in 1990; I have worked at national magazines like People Magazine and won an Emmy for Fox News, Chicago. I have produced national television shows and traveled the world for the Travel Channel. But, it isn't my resume or the resume of those who follow that matters. It's the bond of women and the memories that we shared as part of Newcomb. We walked separately at graduation and carried the tradition of those who came before us. How sad there may not be those to come after us. As the former college news editor, I recall fighting for this same thing 20 years ago. I think that the lessons of Katrina should be noted and heritage preserved -- just as you would preserve a landmark. Newcomb is a landmark. It should remain separate. That decision has been made decade after decade. The only thing different now are the reasons for change. Same fight. Same plight. Keep Newcomb Strong!

I strongly recommend preserving Newcomb College as part of the Renewal Plan.

First, I must say how deeply saddened I am by the effects of Katrina. I am also saddened by the loss of Newcomb College as one of the last independently run sister schools in the nation. However, I understand the rationale. I would like to see at least one chair in Newcomb's honor.

Attending Newcomb College is a very important tradition for many women. Generations of women in many families have attended Newcomb. If Newcomb College does not survive, many of the women who would have otherwise followed this tradition will not apply to Tulane. The fact that Newcomb College was the oldest coordinate women's college in the United States is something that was very special to all Newcomb graduates and to many potential Newcomb College applicants as well.

I think it is essential to retain the coordinate college model - both to strengthen the university's ability to recover and to ensure the traditions of generations of students and their support continue.

I strongly support the two-college model which is endorsed by the Newcomb Dean's Advisory Council and the Newcomb Alumnae Association.

I am a third generation Newcomb Alum. The history and traditions of Newcomb mean so much to women across the country. I think it would be a tragedy to erase the history of Newcomb just to save a buck or two. I support the petition to save Newcomb College!

I think that losing the history and traditions of Newcomb college is something that should be avoided at all costs. Has Katrina not been traumatizing enough? Must our Alma Mater be destroyed as well? I will say that while we are all proud Tulane University Graduates..we also are proud Newcomb College Graduates. We are proud of our portion of the university and the rich history that created it. At the very least, the name of the college, as well as the many traditions of Newcomb College, should be maintained. To do otherwise disrespects the many women who worked hard to make Newcomb what it is today. It is a tragedy that Katrina took the city to its knees. That was an act of nature. The destruction of Newcomb would be a tragedy entirely conducted by man. It would not be that difficult to compromise on this issue. It is not too much to ask that our university honors its history.

As administrators, you can honor our commitment to Newcomb College, as well as to the intended purpose of Josephine Louise Newcomb, and fittingly incorporate the alumnae appeal to save Newcomb College. Making the College of Undergraduate Studies a dual entry point into the University- A Newcomb College for women students in all disciplines and a parallel College for men students, who study together-would satisfy the structure in the Renewal Plan and still maintain Newcomb College as a separate entity with all her assets - tangible, philosophic and financial. This plan is not a "same old, same old" idea. It is "new" in the sense that it would reflect the contemporary world in which we live. Many well educated women have independent interests within the framework of a family and society, have support groups, pursue independent careers, retain their maiden names and still interact successfully with males in a diverse society. But relatively few have attained in their careers the equal status with men to which they are striving. Women's Colleges give them the edge that is needed to reach their goals. There are studies that support this philosophy and concept. Having dual, coordinate colleges within Tulane would be a partnership in which all students would be well served. As in the "real world," women and men students at the university would be exposed to separate as well as uniform experiences; they could focus on their independent and mutual interests. They would be well prepared to function outside the University after graduation. Isn't that the purpose of a well rounded education? I urge you to strongly consider the value of such a plan from the perspective of what it would mean to graduates in today's world. It would not reverse the strategy in the Renewal Plan; it would amend it. In my opinion it would enhance the University experience. Promoting and adopting this plan would consolidate, rather than alienate, the many dissatisfied students and dismayed alumnae/alumni across the country. It would definitely aid in the continued financial support for the University.

The four newly cooperative private universities should create a political think tank/action non-profit (with their geology/environmental staffs involved) in coordination with NOLA's prominant businesses (medical, oil and gas companies, and their law firms are naturals), to consider how to get those levees rebuilt to withstand a stronger storm. Don't rely on Congress to do this without great pressure. As a survivor of Betsy, I recall the plans that were made and did not bear fruit. It is imperative to not lose all that you are rebuilding to another major storm. You can pull it off this time, but probably not a next time. This should be a priority for all who are rebuilding the New Orleans entities. Of course it goes in concert with re-establishing the wetlands barriers, but that is something that will take longer than the levees. The levees are a must and cannot be allowed to slide into neglect or made a back issue.

I fully support fusing Newcomb with Tulane. It makes sound business sense in a financial crisis of huge magnitude. I was a Newcomb graduate, but always felt that the duplication was costly and created unnecessary difficulties in cross-registration. If it took a hurricane to make the change, that is one lemonade from a terrible lemon. Maybe the undergraduate school can resplit, in a wealthier future. However, sometimes tradition is just too costly. People, the life of the university is at stake.Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Newcomb has a distinct reputation that has only benefitted Tulane.If any changes are necessary, it would seem wise to include Newcomb as an equal partner in the renewal.

I am appalled by the recommendation that Newcomb be dissolved and that I did not hear about this until now. Please do everything possible to save Newcomb's proud traditions of excellence and a history as a unique college, affiliated with Tulane. Warmest thanks for your help. Peggy Fisher Newcomb '69 Now a freelance writer being published in Florida and newspapers, magazines and websites worldwide thanks to the excellent education I received at Sophie Newcomb majoring in English, and minoring in philosophy and the French Quarter. I publish a free weekly enews, "Seaside Scoop" with fitness tips, a word for the week, humor, health, conservation, happiness hyperlinks, inspiration from the sea and much more. If you would like to see samples, please email: writingbyfisher@bellsouth.net

I am saddened and dismayed by the proposition of Newcomb College's dissolution. I hope the Task Force can find a way to continue the tradition, name and distinct quality of Newcomb within Tulane's Renewal plan. The unique and rewarding college experience I had at Newcomb could not be replicated if Tulane and Newcomb became one. I urge the Task Force to consider the ramifications of eliminating Newcomb that the Dean alludes to in her letter of Feb. 13 as it moves forward with some very difficult decisions. Please save Newcomb!

The heritage of Newcomb college providing an excellent academic experience for women should be preserved.

I fully endorse the Newcomb Fellows proposal for a separate Newcomb Institute (Society or Foundation) and Residence College.

How can changing the very fabric our being be considered an improvement? Why did a hurricane necessitate changing a wonderful tradition? What will they want to change after the next hurricane? Newcomb and Tulane Colleges should be left as they are. There must be a better solution.

This isn't the first time that the subject of eliminating Newcomb has come up. Even though women's colleges seem passe there are generations of woman that were a part of Newcomb and were proud to be so. It made us feel different. I think now more than ever, traditions are important to keep New Orleans alive. I cetainly hope that you will keep Newcomb, as the school I would imagine promised Josephine Louise Newcomb some 200 years ago. Why don't you consider merging A & S into Newcomb??

The traditions of Newcomb College can best be preserved by keeping the STRONGEST college in the Tulane University system, and that would be by keeping Newcomb College as its own entity!

As a Newcomb alumna ('89) and current dean of a women's coordinate college within a coeducational institution (Westhampton College at the University of Richmond), I believe strongly that Newcomb College needs to be preserved as a college. The structure is vital. Research shows that women in higher education continue to need a space and place within coeducational institutions to assure that their needs and issues are taken seriously; thus, to take away the college core of Newcomb would be to abolish a very progressive element of Tulane that guarantees that women are taken seriously as scholars and as members of the University community. I urge you to reconsider this plan based on the abundant research in this area and on the experiences of thousands of Newcomb graduates.

Eliminating Newcomb College as a degree-granting college does not guarantee renewal for the university and will only alienate the alumni who have benefited from this women-focused education. Surely a renewal plan that doesn't eliminate the college can be formulated that ensures renewal and continuity of tradition.

I strongly encourage the task force to look again at this decision. I think it is a terrible mistake to obliterate Newcomb and that support from alums will decline substantially.

I believe Newcomb college - and its traditions - should be preserved. Many of my friends, myself included, are withholding any donations until we learn that Newcomb's heritage and degree are preserved. As a Newcomb alumnus, I believe it is imperative to keep Newcomb as a degree-granting college for women.

I graduated from Newcomb in 1997, the School of Law in 2001. I would be devastated if Newcomb College ceases to exist, except in the proud hearts of her alums! Try suggesting getting rid of Paul Tulane College and let those young men join the University College! Mr. Cowen, you disappoint me!

The only possible way to preserve the traditions of Newcomb College is to preserve the college. To continue use of the Newcomb name in any other way than that envisioned by Josephine Louise Newcomb would be dishonest at best and fraudulent at worst.

Newcomb College should be kept at all costs. No one has been able to state what the cost would be to keep Newcomb as it is. This question was asked at the forum on Jan 27th and we were told (finally, at the very end) that the Board was given a "package" by the administration and line items could not be addressed. This is unacceptable....why have a board? To rubber stamp the President's whims? This kind of information must be made available to us. The University is not producing "widgets". It should be about education and academics, not about a bottom line, which appears to be the goal, in order to increase the prestige of the President.

After speaking with fellow alumnae, reading much of the material posted on this site and the newest issue of the Tulanian, and most importantly, listening to the audio feed from the Forum held by the Taskforce last Friday, I have come to the following conclusion: Pres. Cowen is using the disaster of Katrina as a guise for the elimination of Newcomb College. I have yet to hear a compelling reason for the dissolution of the College as it exists today. When asked the primary reason for the death of Newcomb, the reason is financial. When asked about expected savings from the destruction of Newcomb there has been no number given and the response has instead been that finances are not the drving force behind the decision. Hmmm, reminds me of the worst of political jargon! Anyone care to shed some light on this?

You CANNOT get rid of Newcomb! Renew what you want, but please do not kill one of the greatest schools in the country!

Those who post on this website are far more knowledgeable than I on this topic. However, after speaking at length with Christina Styron, I thought I might offer my $ .02 in hopes that it leads to a workable solution. We need to find a middle ground where the administration/Board of Trustees (heavily non-Newcomb, I see) can save face while also maintaining post-K Newcomb as a separate identity. As Christina explains it to me, cost-cutting was not the adminstration's articulated basis for scrapping Newcomb, but rather it was done to allow a marketing ease (along the lines of it being supposedly easier to market Tulane and to avoid explaining the Newcomb significance). That rationale is misguided. I can't help but wonder if Newcomb alums were in larger numbers on the board, whether discourse on this would have been more enlightened. I mean this as no offense to our great alums on the board presently. They are just overwhelmingly outnumbered. I'd like to see that changed. Here is the idea (admittedly without the needed specifics, but suggested for the concept): Seek more Newcomb alums on the board (not sure at what percentage, I defer to the greater minds on this one - seems very odd (almost archaic) to me that Newcomb alums are so underepresented on the board). Devise a compromise whereby a reduced post-K Newcomb identity is maintained, but with a sunshine provision that resurrection of full status will occur by 200- by the board comprised of the increased number of Newcomb alums. Or if certain resurrection is not an amenable condition, the issue is reviewed periodically (at some agreed upon frequency level) by the board comprised of the increased number of Newcomb alums with the agreement that the reduced post-K Newcomb identity be maintained regardless of the decision. Is this a workable concept? No pride of authorship here - - I just wanted to vent a few thoughts. Shawn Holahan Newcomb '77

In my opinion, the merging of Newcomb College into an undergraduate school of Tulane would be a tragedy. Newcomb's rich history and traditions have created a unique heritage and character which draws applicants of the highest caliber. Additionally, I truly believe that young women and men benefit from single-sex classes at the college level. I take great pride in having attended Tulane, but I am a Newcomb gradute first.

Newcomb College is a long-standing, nationally recognized tradition for women's educational excellence. Our daughter attended and obtained an outstanding degree from Newcomb. That degree has afforded her numerous opportunities since her graduation. Please, do not take away this heritage for those young women who are nearing college age. The opportunites that Newcomb College offers women is unique in our nation. Newcomb College is impertive as a standard of excellence for our young women.

I'm a native of Gulfport, Mississippi. My home, my town....life as I knew it was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. I understand that rebuilding is a difficult process. However dire the situation may be, rebuilding should be a time of hope and progress...not a time to further destroy and demolish a community that is already broken. The decision to dissolve Newcomb College is appalling, especially under these circumstances. Hurricane Katrina obliterated the Gulf Coast over 6 months ago, and today she continues to destroy Newcomb College and Tulane University. As if we have not lost enough already, why must we also lose Newcomb?

As a University College Alumna, and someone whose family members include Newcomb College alumnae, I believe dissolving Newcomb College, and "integrating" its students into the general Tulane student body disregards and disrespects Mrs. Newcomb's wishes for the use of her perpetual endowment. She left that money for the continued use and existence of Newcomb College, not for Tulane University's use. It's time for you to drop the "legacy" part of this plan, and honor Mrs. Newcomb's wishes, that this college will exist as a school in its own right, and not as a source of money for the rest of the university.

It will be important for women in science to have support, especially under the new regime which splits the sciences and engineering from the humanities and social sciences. Newcomb has a strong tradition of preparing women for careers in chemistry, medicine and other fields.

I believe that the university is using this emergency as it's oppertunity to finally rid the school of Newcomb. They were unable to do this without an emergency due to the hurricane. Because of this, Newcomb should spend the endowments that were suppose to go to the school, on the girls that currently are enrolled in the school. Give them free tuition/housing or even new cars.

The traditions of Newcomb College can best be preserved by preserving the college itself with its outstanding success in educating young women to become leaders and important contributors to their communities all over the US and beyond. If it is true,as stated at the Forum on Friday that the change is NOT a matter of finances but just part of the Renewal Plan, then the plan absolutely, truly makes no sense at all and there seems no rationale for it. Why mess with success?

How about taking all of the things that Newcomb is famous for (fine arts, music, performing arts, etc.) and combining them into a Newcomb School of Creative Arts?

Dr. Pierce Butler's daughter was a friend of my family, and she, Virginia, must be roiling (yes, roiling) in her grave. There will no longer be an entity known as Newcomb College? Are you out of your minds? Since Tulane College (a much, much younger entity) is also "disappearing", why not name the new creation "The H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College"?

I would like to second the suggestion that the University authorizes and fund a Newcomb Society. At a meeting of Newcomb alumnae in New York last evening, Yvette Jones indicated that a Newcomb Foundation is under discussion, possibly using the Newcomb Dean's House as headquarters. I applaud this idea and propose that the Newcomb Foundation oversee the Newcomb Society. The Newcomb Society, operated by the Newcomb Foundation, will include all women undergraduates as members. Upperclasswomen will formally welcome freshman in a ceremony each fall, which should also include recognition for Newcomb Assets. Leadership of the Newcomb Society, as elected by its members, can play a vital role in student government and continue the important work of the Newcomb Senate. Newcomb traditions, including Big Sisters and Daisy Chain, can continue through the auspices of the Newcomb Society. At graduation, members of the Newcomb Society are invited to become members of the Newcomb Alumnae Association.

I think men should still graduate under Tulane College, and women under Newcomb. Combine the college's into one college, but allow the tradition distinction of our founder's to be upheld. What would Paul Tulane and Sophie Newcomb think? Re-new yes, but perserve our traditions of which this great university was founded upon.

Primarily, I strongly urge the Task Force to slow down its timeline and reconsider the merge of TC and NC. Failing that, I'd most hope to see Newcomb reinvented as Dr. Patton indicates below, as an institute, similar to the Murphy Institute, which would include academic, community, and leadership education for women, leading to wholly interdisciplinary degrees and becoming for the university what Newcomb is today: a center of excellence for women.

I would once again ask the Task Force to recommend that the Board of Administrators reverse their decision and start over before it is too late to save any semblance of respect for our University. While the vote was unanimous, did every member have an adequate chance to study ALL the possible solutions to this problem? I truly believe that money is NOT the issue, but rather the ineptitude of some administration members to perform their duties as required. If the Admissions department has trouble convincing women to attend Newcomb, perhaps it is because they have not in recent years actively recruited for Newcomb College. If you don't tell prospective students that Newcomb College exists, can you reasonably expect them to apply? HOWEVER, apply they do despite the efforts to sweep the college under the rug. Reverse the BOA decision, take the necessary amount of time to study this issue from all perspectives. And remember that members of the BOA are only here for a limited number of years, and a Univesity President can "go" as easily as he appeared on the scene. Look to the future, and see what might be there. Neither you nor I will be standing in 100 years, but Newcomb College can be. That would be a true legacy - and remember that your charge is to make those decisions that enable, protect, and build our University. Your duty is not to make hasty decisions that bring glory to any one individual nor provide the University as a stepping stone to the Ivy League for one who aspires to greatness at any cost.

What about naming the new undergraduate college after Newcomb? Tulane is covered by the University side....?

Newcomb should be renewed as a separate entity itself. A good way to do this is to establish a Newcomb Institute which would house the Newcomb Foundation and the Center for Research on Women. It would also be desirable to have a Newcomb Residential Dorm - JL, for example. That would help continue and enhance the best aspects of Newcomb College.

Please do nothing to undermine women's education at Sophie Newcomb College. Please do not use the Newcomb Endowment for anything but Newcomb related activities. The turning point in my life was being accepted into and then graduating from Newcomb College. For all the genetations before me, my classmates, and the generations who follow, please keep the spirit and intent of quality education for women only, at Newcomb.