The Board of Tulane today affirmed a commitment to the continuation of Division I-A intercollegiate athletics at Tulane University by approving a multi-year operating plan for the Department of Athletics.

The Board adopted a resolution saying it will operate an intercollegiate athletics program that is, first and foremost, a model in terms of the academic performance and graduation rates of its student athletes and is financially viable and accountable on a sustainable basis in support of the academic mission and goals of the university.

The new plan calls for the Athletics Department to meet specific goals for generating revenues and reducing expenditures. The department must be operating within an allowable subsidy not to exceed $2 million starting in fiscal year 2007, according to a resolution passed by the board.

The board also said the university will:

-- proactively engage in conference realignment discussions to ensure the university is best positioned to fulfill its vision for its athletics program.

-- aggressively work to alter the BCS arrangement to minimize, if not eliminate, its adverse impact on Division I-A intercollegiate athletics.

-- join with other schools to request that the NCAA adopt policies and procedures that support higher academic standards and lower the costs of Division I-A membership.

In making the announcement, Tulane Board Chair John Koerner said, "Our student-athletes are outstanding individuals and we believe that our programs should exceed their academic and athletic needs and expectations."

The board's decision comes after an intensive six-month review of the university's athletics program by an Ad Hoc committee of the Board of Tulane. The athletics review is the conclusion of a process started five years ago by President Scott Cowen to develop an institutional vision and academic plan for the future of Tulane University.

Cowen said the review and the dialogue that surrounded it, combined with the Board's endorsement of the operating plan, "makes me optimistic that Tulane University is on the path to transforming itself from a very good university into an outstanding one. The Board focused on the central question driving this process, which is what type of intercollegiate athletics program best fits with the university’s mission, aspirations and resources."

"The process required the Board to embrace the goal of standing among the most outstanding universities in the world in academic achievement and impact. The process required the Board to understand that we have limited resources in comparison to those to whom we compare ourselves and it required the Board to understand the university has numerous stakeholders, many of whom have conflicting expectations of the university," Cowen continued.

"The Board has now set a very high standard for the future and this truly is the hallmark of a great university," Cowen said.

The president also indicated that the continued support from Tulane's alumni, friends and the community at large will be critical to the continuing fiscal health and success of the athletics department. "The university can only continue to maintain a Division I-A athletics program if it is financially viable in the context of the university's mission, aspirations and resources."

Koerner and the board agreed that external support will be critical in assisting the Athletics Department in reaching its new revenue generating goals.

"As we move forward, the Board will be counting on the assistance of the individuals who have been so passionate in their support of the University’s athletics program," he said.

"In our resolution today, the Board calls for the formation of an external advisory board, comprised of officers of the Tulane Alumni Association and its Alumni Clubs, local and state political leaders and leaders of the New Orleans business community," Koerner said.

"We will ask this group to advise us and participate in developing opportunities to translate the passion and dedication expressed by Tulane's alumni, friends and the community at large into tangible permanent support," he said.

Koerner thanked the Ad Hoc committee for its participation in the decision-making process. Members of the committee included Phillip Greer (chair), William Goldring, Linda S. Wilson, Douglas J. Hertz, James W. Wilson Jr., William A. Slatten, James Lapeyre Jr. and James J. Reiss Jr.

For additional information and background, please refer to http://feedback.tulane.edu.