Assistant Vice President for Campus Life , Louisiana

THE SEARCH

Tulane University, a premier, residential research university, invites applications and nominations for the Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Campus Life. The AVP serves as part of a dynamic student affairs senior leadership team, supporting the Vice President for Student Affairs in directing and managing critical and strategic priorities, initiatives and activities that enhance and transform student engagement and support services at Tulane. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, the AVP takes an active leadership role in creating and sustaining an engaging, inclusive, and caring environment for all undergraduate, graduate and professional students. The new AVP will join Tulane at a time of tremendous momentum and opportunity – the university has embarked on a transformative effort to reimagine the student experience and overall delivery of student services.

An important administrative leader on campus, the AVP maintains a strong, visible presence within diverse student communities and organizations, including student government. As such, the AVP cultivates trusting relationships and lines of communication between students and the university. The AVP will provide leadership on student issues related internally and externally to the Tulane community, and will serve as point person for communicating a broad range of critical issues to university officials and individual parents/families members as appropriate. In this important role, the AVP provides oversight for the Tulane student union (the “LBC”), student orientation, leadership development initiatives, and fraternity/sorority life. The AVP will serve as a partner to other AVPs in supporting residence life, diversity and inclusion initiatives, parent/family programming, and campus recreation. The AVP also provides leadership in improving undergraduate retention in partnership with the Newcomb Tulane College Dean and associated staff and serves as a key member of the university-wide student affairs leadership team.

The ideal candidate will be a committed and experienced student affairs professional who has thrived in complex, highly demanding, fast–paced environments of excellence, where expectations for performance and productivity are high. The AVP will bring a deep familiarity with trends and challenges in the field of student affairs. The AVP should bring a record of successful leadership, consensus-building, and an ability to build sustaining and effective relationships with diverse constituencies – including faculty, staff and university leadership.

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Isaacson, Miller, a national search firm, is assisting Tulane University with the recruitment. This document describes the context of the search, the challenges and opportunities for the new Assistant Vice President for Campus Life, and the professional experience and characteristics that the ideal candidate should possess. It aggregates input from various constituencies and draws heavily on the University’s existing materials. All inquiries, applications, and nominations for this opportunity should be directed to the search firm, as indicated at the end of this document.

TULANE UNIVERSITY

Tulane traces its origins to 1834, when it was founded as the Medical College of Louisiana. It was renamed the University of Louisiana by the state legislature in 1847. The legislature subsequently transferred it to the Board of Administrators of the Tulane Education Fund in 1884. With that transfer, Tulane University was established as a private, nonsectarian university and named in honor of benefactor Paul Tulane, a wealthy merchant who donated more than $1 million in land, cash, and securities “for the promotion and encouragement of intellectual, moral and industrial education.” In 1886, the H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College was established as Tulane’s college for women. The unified Newcomb- Tulane College today enrolls all full-time undergraduates at the University. The University has an operating budget of $1 billion and an endowment of $1.4 billion.

Tulane is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, a select group of the 62 leading research universities in the United States and Canada. As such, Tulane is committed to the highest level of research. Tulane attracts an outstanding student body that is both intellectually curious and driven by community engagement. In 2018, U.S. News and World Report ranked Tulane 44th among national universities, and the University’s 8:1 undergraduate student-faculty ratio allows Tulane undergraduates to receive the personalized attention of a smaller liberal arts college along with the resources of a major research institution. In 2006, Tulane became the first major research institution to require public service as a graduation requirement, which led to the Carnegie Foundation recognizing Tulane with its Community Engagement Classification. Though intimately engaged with the local New Orleans community, Tulane is truly a national university – with its undergraduates traveling further to attend college, on average, than those of any other university. Only 18% of Tulane’s undergraduate students are from New Orleans, a testament to the far-reaching appeal of Tulane’s academics, lively spirit, and distinct campus life.

The University is organized into ten academic divisions: Newcomb-Tulane College, A.B. Freeman School of Business, School of Architecture, School of Professional Advancement, School of Law, School of Liberal Arts, School of Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, School of Science and Engineering, and the School of Social Work. The mix of schools is an asset that is rich with opportunity for cross-school collaboration in research and education. Enrolled in these diverse programs are nearly 8,400 undergraduate and 5,100 graduate students from every state in the U.S. and more than 85 nations worldwide. The Tulane faculty totals over 1,200 full-time members with a staff of approximately 2,900.

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STUDENT BODY

Tulane attracts an outstanding student body that is both intellectually curious and driven by community engagement. Tulane has 8,435 undergraduate students and 5,167 graduate and professional students. For the 2017-2018 academic year, 57% of the total student body was female and 43% was male. Undergraduate students hail from all 50 states and more than 65 different countries. Notably, Tulane’s student body is one of the most geographically varied in the country – 85% of students travel from over 300 miles away to attend Tulane. The geographic distribution of the Class of 2021 is as follows: Northeast (30.7%), South Atlantic (14.5%), the Midwest (12.9%), Louisiana (11.7%), South Central (10.7%) and Pacific West (10.7%). More than 30% of Tulane students study abroad as undergraduates, a testament to the University’s emphasis on engaging the global community and cultivating an international and multicultural climate on campus.

With New Orleans as a backdrop, Tulane students have countless opportunities for on and off campus engagement. Tulane University has over 200 student-run organizations, providing numerous opportunities for students to build communities and engage meaningfully with staff and peers. Approximately 41% of undergraduates participate in Greek life, with 10 fraternities, 8 sororities and 2 multicultural sororities represented on campus. Tulane has 16 varsity sports teams, including NCAA Division I Athletics, as well as 29 club sports and13 intramurals. For more information about Campus Athletics, please visit: https://tulane.edu/life-tulane/campus-life/athletics.

CLASS OF 2022

Tulane University’s admitted first-year students for fall 2018 represent one of the most diverse and academically qualified in Tulane’s history. Approximately 1,900 students make up the University’s freshman class. 38,500 students applied to Tulane this year and 17 percent were admitted. The average converted SAT score was 1456. 22% identify as students of color 5% percent of the class are international students, representing 30 countries or territories, including China, India, Vietnam, South Korea, Mexico, Turkey, Canada, Ecuador, Panama and Egypt.

NEW ORLEANS

Famed for its history, music, and cuisine, New Orleans is one of the world's most extraordinary cities. Star-studded events like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest draw thousands of visitors to the city each year. Unique neighborhoods reflect the city's French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean roots. The educational experience at Tulane is interwoven with this rich cultural tapestry and many students remain in the city after graduation. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans rebuilt and is now experiencing a period of rejuvenation in many areas of the city. A boom in start-up culture and the tech sector attracts a young generation of new residents, and two new hospitals are currently under construction.

New Orleans is an endless provider for Tulane students, and it is only natural that students give back to the city on a regular basis. Contributing to New Orleans is part of the fabric of the institution, and students have been involved in nearly every aspect of New Orleans’ renaissance. Their efforts through service learning have made tangible differences in the lives of others throughout the community.

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PUBLIC SERVICE AT TULANE

The spirit of Service is woven into Tulane University’s fiber; so much so, that all undergraduates at Tulane have a Public Service graduation requirement. The public service component is a defining feature of Tulane's core curriculum, and it makes scholarship at Tulane a transformative experience. The guiding principle behind this initiative is the belief that public service rooted in an academic context contributes to the development of student civic engagement and, ultimately, leaders. Equally as important, service connects Tulane students with the greater New Orleans community and nation, allowing them to give back in a way that characterizes the Post-Katrina spirit of unity and selflessness. Tulane has won numerous awards for its extensive efforts to serve the surrounding community. Notably, the 2019 Princeton Review ranks Tulane as #2 among colleges that are “Most Engaged in Community Service.” With nearly 800,000 hours of community service logged by the Tulane community, an unwavering commitment to the community draws students to Tulane from near and far.

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Assistant Vice President for Campus Life (AVP) is a member of the senior leadership team for the Division of Student Affairs. As the chief administrative officer for the Departments of New Student and Leadership Programs, Fraternity and Sorority Programs, and the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life, the AVP will provide the necessary leadership, vision and direction to enhance a student centered and learning focused environment for Tulane University students. The AVP will serve as a guiding voice for enhancing the co-curricular student experience at Tulane and will focus with their team on differentiating the Tulane student undergraduate experience in ways that benefit student satisfaction, preparation for graduate and professional life, retention, and persistence to graduation.

The AVP will oversee all aspects of New Student and Leadership Programs, Fraternity and Sorority Programs and the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life operations including capital improvements, space allocation, capital acquisitions, routine maintenance, renewal and replacement strategies, inventory control and excellence in delivery of facility management and services and programs. The AVP will be instrumental in creating positive working relationships with key campus stakeholders to enhance collaboration and consultation opportunities across campus. Additionally, the AVP will further represent these departments in the university administration, the Student Affairs Leadership Team and key university partners to promote capital, collaborative and educational initiatives.

The mission of Tulane’s Division of Student Affairs cultivates a socially responsible community to support students in leading lives of integrity, developing to their full potential, engaging with each other in meaningful ways, and achieving academic excellence.

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OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Provide leadership for student affairs on Tulane’s campus

The AVP for Campus Life will be a prominent leader on campus. Tulane seeks an AVP with a strategic vision, a thorough understanding of best practices in student affairs, and the creativity to meet the particular challenges facing higher education in the 21st century. The AVP will provide mentoring, leadership, oversight, and direction for the Offices of Fraternity and Sorority Programs, New Student and Leadership Programs, and the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life. The AVP will provide strategic planning to ensure that the work of these offices remains responsive, modern, nimble, and serves the mission of the University. Over the last few years, Tulane has invested significant resources into the undergraduate experience and tying together the academic and co-curricular programming. Notably, the University has embarked on a multi-million dollar endeavor to transform the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life into a new Commons. This re-invigorated Commons will serve as a nucleus for student activity on Campus. The AVP will set strategies and collaborate across campus with a broad range of constituencies to ensure the successful development of the new Commons into a true hub of student and campus life. University leadership has made student life a priority and remains highly attentive and committed to this ambitious endeavor. The AVP will be instrumental in leading during these exciting times; ensuring the new Commons reaches its full potential as an inclusive center that fosters community and enhances the Tulane student experience.

Broadly support community building and social engagement

Tulane is an anchor institution in New Orleans, a city rich in traditions, resources and experiences. Post- Katrina, Tulane attracted undergraduate students who were attracted to the idea of helping to rebuild a great American city. It attracted students who are deeply engaged academically and socially. Over the last several years, the University has placed increased attention on integrating the curricular and co-curricular aspects on student life.

New Orleans is a city that is often associated with extensive social opportunities, which oftentimes includes alcohol. Excessive and persistent alcohol consumption and partying has a detrimental ripple- effect on student wellness. Tulane is challenged with striking the right balance between the rigor of the classroom and the social opportunities inherent to the University, and the city at large. Positioned in the heart of New Orleans, this balance is ever more delicate and challenging at Tulane. The AVP will therefore continue efforts to develop programming that encourages a social life for students that matches the aspirations and values of the university, and can bring together students from different backgrounds to enrich on-campus life and enhance social engagement. In particular, the AVP will work closely with the Fraternities and Sororities to evaluate and developing programming that will develop a culture of service, leadership, and scholarship.

The State of Louisiana has recently passed laws designed to prevent hazing on Louisiana university campuses. Sustained efforts are underway to develop programming around hazing prevention and education for all student organizations. The AVP will work strategically and creatively to strengthen these efforts to end the culture of hazing and secrecy in university organizations. In addition, the AVP will Tulane University Assistant Vice President for Campus Life Page 6 of 10 engage across the university on a broad range of crisis and conduct issues, including but not limited to, Title IX, substance abuse and sexual assault. In doing so, the AVP will help create the reimagined experience focused on openness, honesty and accountability.

Support Tulane’s efforts to instill a culture of wellness and self-care

Universities face distinct challenges related to the mental health and well-being of their students. The transition to college or graduate school can be inherently stressful, as students adjust to significant life changes and the pressure to succeed. These stressors are often compounded at Tulane University, where there is a heightened emphasis on the New Orleans ‘party’ environment. Over the last two years, Tulane has conducted a thorough review of the factors that have an impact on the well- being of students at the university, at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Tulane has special tasks forces, including the ‘Alcohol Task Force’ as well as ‘Sexual Violence Prevention Task Force,’ to assess the current state of mental health services and resources for students, canvass current research on effective strategies for mental health promotion, and make recommendations for effective services that could lead to an enhanced climate of health. The next AVP will play a critical role in supporting efforts to instill a culture of care by sending a clear and consistent message about the importance of wellness and self-care. Tulane strives to promote an environment that encourages healthy choices and supports students in successfully managing situational crisis, stress, and psychological issues. Tulane will ensure that outreach and support programs, policies, and practices regarding student psychological well-being meet the diverse needs of students and reflect the current state of scientific knowledge and national best practices.

Be a highly visible advocate and partner for all Tulane students

The AVP serves as the most visible and student-facing representative of the university to undergraduate and graduate students. The AVP will be expected to engage with students regularly, forging relationships and keeping a finger on the pulse of student life. The AVP is expected to establish rapport with student leaders in creating a proactive, responsive, and inclusive environment for students. Through a regular presence at campus events, activities, and venues where students interact with the Office of Student Life, the AVP should fully understand students’ holistic needs, gather input from students not as highly engaged in campus life, and create spaces for students’ voices to be heard.

THE IDEAL CANIDATE

The ideal candidate will bring 8+ years progressive student affairs experience in higher education institution. The AVP will have a long-standing record of successful leadership and accomplishments in developing and increasing positive student experience and student engagement. The AVP for Campus Life will have experience with supervising and mentoring staff, budget development, crisis management, and program/service development and assessment. The successful candidate must have a passion for the University’s mission, and a commitment to providing undergraduate and graduate students with an outstanding experience at Tulane University.

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While no single candidate will possess all of the following qualifications, the ideal candidate will embody many of the following characteristics:

 An understanding of and appreciation for a residential liberal arts education; a passion for providing support and opportunities for Tulane’s students; an authentic appreciation for Tulane’s history and traditions, as well as a vision of its potential.

 Proven skills as a senior manager; a demonstrated ability to mentor and support staff and provide successful oversight of people, budget, and space; a track record for inspiring colleagues with energy and a dedication to their professional development, as well as a commitment to clarity and accountability.

 Experience in student affairs including the areas of student centers and student programming, Greek Life, and experience in working with undergraduate and graduate students.

 A deep understanding of the educational value of a diverse community; a demonstrated track record of advancing diversity and enhancing inclusiveness; an ability to bring groups and individuals to common ground across diverse constituencies, including race, class, and socio- economic status.

 Sophisticated interpersonal skills; a firm but fair approach to the resolution of conflict; a commitment to consult extensively balanced by a willingness to act decisively when consensus is elusive. Energy, agility, sense of humor, and flexibility to work side-by-side with a dynamic and talented leadership team.

 Astute political acumen regarding sensitive and high visibility issues; proven ability to manage through crises with discretion and a sense of responsibility and respect for students, families, and the institution.

 The commitment to engage collaboratively with faculty and respond effectively to their concerns, and a demonstrated record of partnering with faculty around integration of living and learning, in and out of the classroom.

 A strong student-centered philosophy supported by a strong understanding of student development theory and its application to practice. Understanding of current and emerging issues of relevance to students, and an in-depth knowledge of best practices in student affairs.

 Perceptive and politically savvy with a high degree of diplomacy, tact, discretion, integrity and credibility. Ability to manage complex and/or highly confidential issues involving diverse constituents and stakeholders. Ability to handle complex and extreme politically sensitive issues with balanced judgment and exceptional discretion.

 Ability to cope with continuous change and pressures in a dynamic, highly demanding environment where expectations for performance and productivity are high. Tulane University Assistant Vice President for Campus Life Page 8 of 10

 Strong counseling skills essential to mediate conflict, problem-solve, and respond appropriately to student concerns.

 At least five years of fiscal management, budgeting and financial skills demonstrated by successful experience in directing resources toward accomplishment of strategic objectives as well as a successful track record of analysis, program evaluation, budget review, and risk management.

 Capacity to assess and protect institutional risk, liability, legal compliance and student safety.

 Significant experience writing and developing proposals, reports and university policies.

 Master’s degree is required; a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration or related field is preferred.

Applications, Inquiries, and Nominations

All inquiries, nominations/referrals, and resumes with cover letters, should be sent electronically and in confidence to:

Sean Farrell, Partner Julia Omotade, Associate Isaacson, Miller http://www.imsearch.com/6811

Tulane University is committed to recruiting, supporting, and fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students. As such, Tulane does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristic in any student program or activity administered by the university or with regard to admission or employment.

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APPENDIX

UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP

Michael Fitts is the 15th president of Tulane University. He arrived at Tulane in July 2014, bringing with him a strong emphasis on heightening cross-disciplinary education and research. President Fitts believes students and higher education institutions can set themselves apart in a fast-changing world and ever- shifting economy by through the synergy of different fields and skills. Accordingly, in his first year at Tulane, Fitts launched task forces to lead the University in deepening interdisciplinary collaboration. He sees powerful advantages in the University’s manageable size, its wide selection of professional schools, the unified undergraduate college, and multiple cross-disciplinary projects already in place. In graduate education and research, Fitts aims to foster intellectual cross-pollination that can produce solutions to some of the world’s most fundamental problems. Previously, President Fitts served 14 years as Dean of the Law School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was recognized for significantly boosting the school’s offerings in interdisciplinary education.

Dr. Robin Forman was appointed Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost in September 2016. He previously served as Dean of the Emory College of Arts and Sciences and the Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Mathematics at Emory University. He has held faculty and administrative appointments at Rice University, and has served as an instructor at MIT and as a visiting professor at the University of Burgundy, Harvard University, and the Mathematical Research Institute. Dr. Forman received a bachelor’s of arts and a master’s of arts in mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania and a doctoral degree in mathematics from Harvard University. His research, which has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Security Agency, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, focuses on combinatorial methods in topology and geometry.

Dr. J. Davidson (Dusty) Porter was appointed Vice President of Student Affairs in 2014. He leads the Division of Student Affairs, which encompasses approximately 200 staff across 14 departments. Dr. Porter serves on the President’s cabinet and has been responsible for several key institutional initiatives, including co-chairing the Tulane Undergraduate Student Experience Task Force and Tulane’s Sexual Assault Prevention Coalition. Dr. Porter has served as a faculty member for the NASPA New Vice Presidents of Student Affairs Institute and has been chosen as a NASPA 2019 Pillar of the Profession. He holds degrees from Emory University, the University of Vermont, and the University of Maryland College Park. Porter previously served as the vice president of student affairs at the Maryland Institute College of Art, where he was instrumental in constructing two new residence halls, developing a transformed career and professional development center and promoting health and wellness initiatives.

NEWCOMB-TULANE COLLEGE

Newcomb-Tulane College is the academic home for Tulane’s full-time undergraduate students. Created during the post-Katrina academic reorganization of Tulane University, the College provides academic services for students including advising, honors, study abroad, and a range of academic student programs. Students pursue programs and majors offered by the five undergraduate schools and the College serves to focus on the holistic development of each student. Newcomb-Tulane College is named after two founding Tulane University Assistant Vice President for Campus Life Page 10 of 10 institutions in the history of Tulane University: Tulane College, an institution for educating men, and Newcomb College, the partner institution that provided education for women.

As Tulane University’s undergraduate degree-granting body, Newcomb-Tulane College transcends the five schools that offer academic majors and creates a community for transformative undergraduate learning. Students that enter the College have the freedom and flexibility to personalize their education across all five schools, thereby providing a specialized academic experience free of restrictive boundaries. This specialized structure sets Newcomb-Tulane College apart, and allows for a culture of intellectual inquiry. Through holistic advising and targeted programs, the College’s staff support students’ degree completion and career exploration, including guidance for graduate and professional school studies and prestigious scholarships. By fostering an inclusive environment where students of diverse backgrounds from across the country and around the world encounter, serve, and learn from each other, the College empowers all students to achieve their full academic potential and career goals.

CAMPUSES Since 1894, Tulane’s campus has been located in Uptown New Orleans, on the historic St. Charles Avenue, across the street from the beautiful Audubon Park. The majority of Tulane’s schools and colleges are housed at this Uptown Campus, a traditional college setting in the heart of a vibrant and dynamic city. Consisting of 110 acres and 89 buildings, and stretching 1.5 miles, Tulane’s beautiful, tree-lined campus boasts a rich history has that has blossomed into a hub of social, cultural, and economic activity. About 8,500 undergrads take courses offered by those five schools at Tulane, which is also home to nearly 30 libraries and research centers, residence halls, administrative buildings, and athletic and recreation facilities. Fourteen residence halls house all freshman and sophomores, and include traditional dorms as well as residential colleges for individuals with shared interests. A number of graduate programs, including the Tulane Law School, are also housed on the Uptown campus. The Downtown campus, which is clustered throughout the Central Business District, is home to the School of Social Work, School of Medicine, and the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.