The Newcomb/Tulane Task Force (top photo) including, from left, Yvette Jones and task force co-chairs Linda Wilson and Darryl Berger, listened to comments on Friday (Jan. 27) at Dixon Hall. Lining up (bottom photo) to talk to panel members are, from left, students Jennifer Leslie, a sophomore, and Arynne Sherouse, a senior, as well as Jennifer Daniels.

Many who attended adorned their hair with daisies and held posters with messages. Upon stepping up to the microphones, they revealed Newcomb in their hearts.

A crowd of about 125 supporters of mostly Newcomb College and a few for Tulane College attended an open forum on Friday (Jan. 27) at Dixon Hall sponsored by the Newcomb/Tulane Task Force of the Tulane University Board of Administrators. An additional 30 participants listened via Internet audio stream.

Although the forum, moderated by Paul Barron, Tulane law professor, was held to hear suggestions for enhancing the Newcomb name and legacy, most students and alumni voiced heartfelt reasons why they would like Tulane to retain the 120-year-old women's college.

The coordinate college system, consisting of Newcomb and Tulane colleges for undergraduate women and men, respectively, in the liberal arts and sciences is being discontinued as part of the university's Renewal Plan announced on Dec. 8.

Mignot Faget, a 1955 graduate of Newcomb College and renowned jewelry designer, pointed to the example of her success in endorsing a commitment to the Newcomb arts and the value of the college as a portal for women to enter the business world.

Students expressed concern about losing the sense of community they have valued as part of the separate women's coordinate college established by Josephine Louise Newcomb in memory of her daughter, Sophie.

"We don't plan to abolish that community," said Tulane board member Linda Wilson, a 1957 graduate of Newcomb College and task force co-chair. The task force reiterated that it was working on more than preserving the Newcomb name. Darryl Berger, a 1972 graduate of Tulane Law School and the other co-chair, said he realizes that "the Newcomb spirit is palpable, it's real."

The Newcomb campus and the art and music departments will continue to bear the Newcomb name, according to the board members. Also, the Newcomb Fellows program, Newcomb Center for Research on Women, Newcomb Art Gallery and Newcomb Children's Center will remain intact.

The forum was preceded by a rally on the Newcomb quad. Also held prior to the event were several meetings by President Scott Cowen and Yvette Jones, chief operating officer and senior vice president of external affairs of Tulane, with alumni groups. On the previous day task force members met with the Newcomb College Dean's Advisory Council.

The task force will present recommendations to the full board in mid March. The group aims to preserve the traditions of Newcomb and Tulane colleges, as all undergraduates at Tulane will be admitted to the university through the new Undergraduate College next fall.

Suggestions and messages can be submitted to the task force through its website. Also available on the site will be an audio recording and transcript of the forum.