School of Engineering First-Time, Full-Time Freshmen:

This is a follow-up to my previous message in which I promised more information on options available to this year's School of Engineering freshman class. This weekend I met with President Cowen and Provost Lefton to discuss how we might assist you in planning for your future. I think that we have identified several courses of action that you may wish to pursue.

Let me first reassure you that your scholarships will continue even though your program of study may change. President Cowen has committed to maintaining your scholarship aid at its current level as long as you maintain the academic performance level required for your award. This will be the case even if you select another Tulane major outside of engineering.

As you know, Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering will become a part of the newly formed School of Science and Engineering. If you intended to major in one of these two fields, you will be able to complete your program at Tulane University without any difficulty. No action is required on your part if you will continue to pursue one of these two majors.

If you were majoring in another field or were still in the undecided category, you will not be able to complete your course of studies in engineering here at Tulane University unless you change your major to either Biomedical or Chemical Engineering. If you are not interested in one of these two majors, there are three options to consider.

One: You may decide to select any of the majors that Tulane will continue to offer. These are listed at: renewal.tulane.edu/students_undergraduate_majors.shtml. If you want to pursue one of these, please notify Associate Dean Andrew Martinez or Advisor Christi Longlois when you return in January. They will assist you in making the change.

Two: If you are unsure of your future plans, you may decide to return this spring and work with university staff to identify an institution that offers the engineering program that you want. President Cowen has authorized me to reimburse you, up to a maximum of $2,000, for documented expenses associated with identifying a new engineering school. These funds are intended to cover the cost of travel, lodging and meals that you incur as you visit other institutions this spring. This support is available only to engineering students who enrolled for the first time during the fall of 2005 and only until the end of the spring term (May 13, 2006.) I will announce shortly the procedures for reimbursement. If you follow this option, you will be allowed to enroll in the Lagniappe term, tuition free, if you have paid your fall and spring term tuition.

Three: If the preceding options are not acceptable, you may decide to withdraw from Tulane University at this time and enroll at another institution for the spring 2006 term. President Cowen has agreed to extend the deadline for withdrawing from the fall term until January 17, 2006 for first year engineering students whose programs are being phased out.

I hope that you will carefully consider your options before making a final decision. All of us in The School of Engineering are ready to assist you when you return in January. If you want to discuss the options now, please feel free to call 504.865.5764 to speak with Dean Martinez or Christi or contact them via email at martinez@tulane.edu or clongloi@tulane.edu, respectively.

Dean Altiero