notes from across the pond

The summit continues with a detailed look at education.

Education Panel:

Camille Witworth - WDSU (Moderator)
Scott Cowen - President, Tulane University
Dr Norman Francis - President, Xavier University/Chair, LRA
Hudson LaForce III - Senior Counselor to the US Sec. Education
Dr Timothy Ryan - Chancellor, UNO
Dr Joseph Savoie - LA Commissioner of Higher Education
Dr Victor Ukpolo - Chancellor, Southern University at NOLA

Scott Cowen:
Katrina closed colleges, never seen before
Lost $300m
Recovered half money from insurance, FEMA, grants, etc

Never envisoned we’d recover as fast as we have
Last year, 18000 applications.
Asked why students didn’t come? Not cos no faith in NOLA.
Set goal 1200 this year, enrolled 1350 yesterday.
Students have renewed hope and faith.

Norman Francis:
Not going anywhere without K-12 public edu
Tied at hip to NOLA
81-83, The Nation at Risk - all of the things we said there are true
Have to create partnership between big business, higher education and schools
From day 1, felt Xavier had to be no.1
People believe in success
Can’t just return to where we were
Need to work together to do better

Hudson LaForce III:
Higher education and K-12 are part of same problem

Timothy Ryan:
Obligated to rebuild economy
Only thing we can do and only thing that will work
UNO, only institution in NOLA not to close
Students from NOLA needed anchor

Still have vast financial holes
Enrollements up 20%
Grad enrollments up 37% since last year

Joseph Savoie:
All know redevelopment economic future LA dependent on human capital
People need to have abilities to be competative
90% fastest growing jobs require some level post secondary education
Need to be stronger and smarter

State has made a lof of significant efforts in recent years
One of most important = investments in pre-K education
Can’t replace hopes and dreams lost, but can create new ones

Victor Ukpolo:
Still in trailers
Hope to be back to campus soon

Diverse human capital/diverse workforce extremely important
Must represent community they are serving
Important successful individuals come from different ethnic groups
NOLA experiencing violent crime
If you don’t eradicate poverty, young people have few choices
Higher education provides guidelines, responsibility
Helps entire community - to attract tourists, business

1990-2000, Census data looks terrible
Happening b4 Katrina
Katrina highlighted it
Must focus on higher education to break out poverty

Camille Witworth:
Where are we? Is there a new plan to protect campuses and students?

Norman Francis:
All learned about preparedness
Students required to file hurricane plan
Made sure all own systems are up-to-date
I wish law schools would get committee together and rewrite Stafford Act
People need to come down here and see this wasn’t a summer storm

Scott Cowen:
Certainly agree Stafford Act has to be totally re-written
Lawyers wrote it originally, business students should re-write it
Hurricane preparedness plan worked exactly as intended

Never assumed entire city would be out of commission
Redone plan to account for that
Changes everything

Other great catastrophe = VA Tech
All studied it very carefully
Lessons learned apply to LA also

Q: Have you changed the degree offerings? Do you have more students interested in construction management?

Timothy Ryan:
Curricula don’t change very quickly
Students desires and demands can change quickly
No. curricula are critical
Increased interest in urban planning, etc
Private schools have more flexibility
No question students interested in helping rebuilding
Many more students want to be involved while in school
Faculty facilitating that

Joseph Savoie:
85,000 students displaced
Half back last year
Down 20,000 students

Supported investments in construction trades

Victor Ukpolo:
Continue to extend programs to ensure displaced students can complete their courses
6 online degrees

Caroline ?: What can universities outside NOLA do to contribute to this effort?

Scott Cowen:
Very gratified by students coming to NOLA to help rebuild
Desperately need it
Tulane delighted to help facilitate that

Students want to come and study for summer
One of most important things to come and help this city

Victor Upkolo:
Would like to see students spread word in communities we are here and still need assistance
Ask us to come and talk to groups you have formed
Going to TN to let them know what we are going through

Timothy Ryan:
Partnership programs - develop joint programs
Give real educational opportunities for both sets of students
e.g. UPenn and UNO joint urban planning program

Anne Keiffer:
Pre-Katrina we did a job fair in lower 9th ward and discovered a large proportion of potential workforce had criminal record. It’s a problem and we have to deal with it. SUNO got grant to run entrepreneurial program for felons. I hope you’re all thinking about how to correct the problem.

Norman Francis:
Right b4 Katrina, higher education created bio-medical district which will create new economic engine for NOLA
Institutions in NOLA are as good as any around the country
Will reinstitute efforts in bio-medical
On verge great hope for this city, other than port/tourism