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January 13, 2006
A positive indicator of New Orleans' future - Tulane
After Katrina devastated New Orleans, I observed that how Tulane University responds will be a leading indicator of the city's economic future:
For the Fall semester, Tulane students will be dispersed across the nation. How many return (either in January if that is possible or next Fall) will determine New Orleans' future as a dynamic creative city.
Well, it's January and the new term is starting -- and the news is good! According to a story in this mornings Washington Post -
"Interrupted by Hurricane, Tulane's Orientation Resumes for Freshmen":
Nearly 90 percent of Tulane's 6,700 undergraduates are returning, the university said, and more than 80 percent of freshmen -- a significant accomplishment considering college officials initially wondered if they would break 60 percent. It is also a big boost for the city, where Tulane is the largest private employer and returning students will amount to a noticeable population increase.
The return of Tulane's students, along with the earlier announcement of keeping their medical research programs while cutting back in other areas, keeps alive the hope that the University can spark an innovation and creativity-led economic revival of the city. Only time will tell, but the signs are good. As they say, stay tuned.
Posted by Ken Jarboe at January 13, 2006 8:26 AM
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Comments
For more on other universities re-opening in New Orleans, see a recent Christian Science Monitor piece: New Orleans is buoyed by a tide of college students
Posted by: Ken Jarboe at January 20, 2006 12:50 PM