Two Days in NOLA- Part 1

Here in 210 Gibson Hall, the question "what should we do in New Orleans?" is heard almost every day. We love pointing our visitors towards our favorite restaurants, sites, and activities, but we thought it would be fun to take it a step further.

Since so many families come visit New Orleans for just a night or two, we've decided to put together some two-day itineraries for different types of travelers. From the Frugal Foodie to the Sports Addict to the History Buff, our Tulane Admission brain trust came together to provide y'all with different ideas of how to explore our favorite city. In total, we have 8 trips, and we've got the first two for you here today. And of course, they're all about the food!

Hop on the streetcar and go check out these great ideas from our Admission team. Photo by Don Chamblee.

The Frugal Foodie- Owen Knight, Admission Counselor and 2014 Tulane Grad

New Orleans is a food city, and an amazing one at that. However, it can quickly become expensive to try all of these great restaurants you’ve heard of. Fortunately, it is very possible to eat world class food here without breaking the bank. Saving money after flying your family of four down here? Broke college student visiting a friend? Take a look at these happy hour deals and cheap eats!

Lunch: Vietnamese at Lilly's Cafe
New Orleans is home to a large Vietnamese population and thus some great authentic Vietnamese restaurants. I’ve eaten at 7 of the Vietnamese places in New Orleans, and Lilly’s Is the leader of the pack. Definitely treat yourself to some spring rolls ($4/order) and then Vermicelli with Pork or Chicken ($7.95). The pho is also the best I’ve had in New Orleans, and is a bargain and a half at $8.50. Lilly’s location far down Magazine street will allow you to take a nice streetcar ride, or take a drive down one of the best shopping streets in New Orleans.

Pho from Lily's (Chris Granger, nola.com).

Dinner: Pizza Happy Hour at Domenica or Pizza Domenica
You’ve heard of John Besh. Everybody’s heard of John Besh. The charming southern chef owns six of the hottest restaurants in New Orleans. From August to Borgne, you can’t find a bad meal at a Besh restaurant. However, most of the meals ain’t cheap. Fortunately, Domenica has a happy hour that rivals the best. From 2-5pm, pizzas and libations are half price ($9 for a gourmet pizza). Try a couple pies for the table (my favorites include the clam and prosciutto), and you MUST order the cauliflower appetizer. Thank me later.

 Two pizzas and kale from Pizza Domenica (Ken S. on TripAdvisor).

Breakfast: Uptown’s own  Panola Street Cafe
Panola Street Cafe is one of my weekend staples. Just minutes from campus, this neighborhood joint serves up some of the best breakfast and iced coffee in town. It’s also very reasonably priced. You can’t deny a $6 bacon egg and cheese with hash browns, and the California Benedict is the way to go if you’re feeling fancy.

Lunch: America’s Best Fried Chicken at Willie Mae’s
Willie Mae’s Scotch House is a New Orleans staple. By something close to a miracle, they opened a second location just five minutes walking from Tulane’s Gibson Hall. Willie Mae’s Grocery and Deli offers the same amazing chicken and sides at a great price- $10 for a plate. While the tagline of “America’s Best” is often abused, Willie Mae’s certainly worthy of it. Go grab some before your tour!

Who else wants to eat their computer? (Craig Cavallo)

Happy Hour: 50 Cent Oysters at Superior Seafood
The title says it all. 50. Cent. Oysters. Superior Seafood has a great location right on Saint Charles at Napoleon, and Gulf Coast oysters are an absolute steal at this price.

So there you have it- two days of affordable meals that are still delicious. Just because you’re saving money doesn’t mean that you don’t get to treat yo self. Happy eating!

The Health Nut- Rachel Rosenberg, Admission Counselor and 2014 Tulane Grad

While I am in no way claiming to be a health nut myself, I know a lot of people come to New Orleans looking for good food that's not super heavy or fried. I'm here to point y'all in that direction!

Breakfast- Satusma
Popular amongst Tulane students- great salads, sandwiches, and a different “Pancake of the Day” every morning!

Lunch – Seed
A new vegan restaurant with great fresh options for vegans, vegetarians, or gluten free folks.

Raw Veggie Spaghetti (Seed on FB)

Snack – D’Juice
Fruit and vegetable smoothies and juices, all with fresh ingredients. Perfect for a snack, or add whey protein to a smoothie for a meal replacement

Dinner – Carmo
Vegan-friendly restaurant in the Warehouse District – I recommend the banana nut bread for dessert! 

The Rico Salad from Carmo (Lorin Gaudin)

Also make sure to take advantage of Audubon Park’s 2 mile track across the street from campus, or rent bikes or paddle boats at City Park if you’re looking for some activity between meals!

So there you have it, our first two specialized itineraries! Check back soon for the next two. We hope to see you in New Orleans soon!

Five Things You’ll Learn Only at Tulane, Only in New Orleans

Christopher Halbohn

            Your college experience will undoubtedly be the most amusing, most terrifying, and most clarity-producing four years of your existence. It’s a time of loving, learning, and growing that life and your parents have allotted so that you can become a responsible, productive member of society. Further, it’s a time that could not be better spent anywhere else but Tulane. Four years ago, I found myself in your exact place—high school senior, good grades, involved in loads of extracurricular activities—wondering where it would be that I spend the (arguably) most important years of my young life. I know what a harrowing process this situation truly is, so let me provide you with some wise words from the perspective of a Tulane senior. The following five adages are a collection of things I learned over the course of my time here that each of you could look forward to.

    1)   There is such a thing as a free lunch.

I’m sure your parents have told you numerous times that “nothing in life is free.” I grew up hearing that ominous phrase almost daily as my mom and dad worked hard to prepare me for the “harsh realities” of the real world. One of my proudest moments as a Tulanian was stumbling upon a lunch hosted by Tulane’s Latin American Studies department, staying for the delicious quesadillas and nachos that seemed to be never-ending, then calling my parents right after to inform them that they were indeed wrong—free lunches do exist! You’ll learn quickly that the amount of opportunities for free items at Tulane is limitless. From your first day on campus, you’ll be inundated with ice cream socials, t-shirts, pizza, water bottles, hats, sunglasses, and really any other random item adorned with the words “Tulane University” that crosses your mind. College kids love free things, especially food. Know those opportunities exist in every corner of campus and seek them out.

 Serving beet burgers during Finals Week my sophomore year at Cram Jam, when Bruff serves free food to all Tulane students!

    2)   Using “y’all” is cool.

You don’t need to be from the South to start using the conjunction “y’all.” First off, it’s super convenient. It’s the English equivalent to the French “vous” and allows your speech to be a little clearer. When you ask a group of friends, “What are you doing tonight?” who are you actually referring to? It’s a bit unclear. “What are y’all doing tonight?” makes your question a little clearer. Fewer people will be confused! Second, it allows you to further embrace the Southern culture. Leaving New York, I knew I wanted an experience different than the one I had growing up in the Northeast. Almost immediately, I embraced the Southern lifestyle. Now, don’t get me wrong—I was no impostor by any means. But I slowed my pace down a bit and appreciated life’s little things. This wasn’t something that I found New Yorkers to be particularly good at doing. Little by little, the South will creep into your soul just as quickly as the humidity in New Orleans forces you to sweat. And that leads us to the next thing:

Nothing says Louisiana more than holding a baby alligator; you'll have plenty of chances to do this! 

   3)   Everyone sweats. Some people do it a little prettier than others.

Face it: you’re considering (or have already decided) that Tulane is the perfect fit for you, so you’re well aware of Tulane’s location in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the heart of the Deep South. Simply said, it gets warm here, but mainly in the summer months. The humidity acts as a blanket that keeps you a little too warm even when you don’t want it. The climate will probably be most shocking for those from drier parts, those unfamiliar with the idea of constant moisture in the air. As a Long Islander, the summer weather here was not all that surprising; summers on Long Island are often hot and humid too! No matter what your experience is though, everyone is going to sweat. Some glisten; others drip. That’s just the way it is. I was (and still am) a dripper. But a little sweat never hurt anyone and plus, the heat breaks in October and you’ll have eight glorious months of unbeatable weather. Think about those amazing Snapchats you can send your friends in Boston or Chicago, who are freezing as they walk to class, while you study on the LBC quad in a bathing suit. The weather here makes everyone a little more cheery and a whole lot more willing to celebrate life! The warmer months are the months that see the most outdoor festivals in New Orleans: Ponchatoula Strawberry Fest, Freret Street Festival, and Jazzfest are just three examples of celebrations that get New Orleanians outside to soak up the sun!

Check out Oak Alley Plantation about 40 minutes from New Orleans and escape the heat under the oak trees that line the walkway to the front door! 

   4)   Expect all of your beliefs to be challenged. ALL.

In short, this is how you learn best. I’m sure each one of you has your own opinion about anything and everything. That’s wonderful; however, you will take classes at Tulane across numerous different departments that will teach you concepts you’ve never covered before. If you identify as Republican, take James Carville’s class. Learn about democracy and the political climate of the United States from one of the foremost Democratic strategists in the entire nation. Or, if you have covered those topics before, you will discover certain nuances about them that redefine your paradigm. If the classes at Tulane don’t challenge your set of beliefs, then your newly-made friends sure will. One of my best friends at Tulane admitted to me after months of knowing me that he assumed Long Island was just another name for Manhattan. Of course, I was shocked about this! I thought everyone knew New York. I thought everyone knew Long Island. But I was wrong. That’s a small example, but a very representative one at that. You will meet people from all walks of life: children of celebrities, students who’ve been on television shows, students who are the first in their families to attend college, and more. You’ll also meet people from all fifty, incredibly unique states. Breaking down the mental blinders you may have placed on yourselves over the years is the only way to truly understand people. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone!

Canoeing through the creeks of southern Mississippi during my freshman year was not something I'd ever imagine doing!

   5)   Not four years, for life.

The friends you will inevitably make during your time here will be your best friends for the rest of your life. Four years may seem like a short amount of time, but the relationships you build will not disappear and become void when you leave Tulane. The thought of graduating in merely two weeks is sobering and mildly horrifying; it would be even scarier if I did not meet the people I did when I came here. When I arrived at Tulane a week before classes started in 2011 (wow, I’m old) for the Explore program, I was alone. I came without knowing anyone from home and quickly realized, wow, I’m 1300 miles from Long Island. A few hours later, I found myself in rural Mississippi on a campsite where I was unknowingly hanging out with my two best friends in the entire world. Yes, it’s scary. And yes, we all think that. BUT DO NOT WORRY. Surviving awkward encounters at the Boot, rallying through the marathon that is Mardi Gras, eating pizza at weird hours of the night, and simply exploring the city of New Orleans will undoubtedly bring you closer to whoever it is you meet. It’s not just the relationships that you’ll keep when you leave Tulane. You’ll also maintain a love for service, the network of alumni, and each of the lessons you learned that will define who you become.

Samantha and Lauren, my two best friends since Day 1 of freshman year, during Voodoo Experience music festival!

And that’s that. Upon arrival, you will know that Tulane was the perfect choice. From the city of New Orleans to the people who comprise this university, your life here will be the most exciting life you’d ever dream of having. I promise you that. Be prepared to change, though. College will do that to you. 

Pico Picks: Festivals to Know in NOLA

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

According to the website, the spirit of Jazz Fest was born in 1970 when Mahalia Jackson, the famous gospel singer, spontaneously began singing along with a crowd of second-line revelers during the Louisiana Heritage Fair.  It was a meeting of “jazz and heritage,” a fusion emblematic of New Orleans and its unique culture. Today, the festival boasts over ten stages, genres including zydeco, gospel, and blues, and acts ranging from international legend, Elton John, to local favorites, 610 Stompers. It is a globally renowned gathering of musicians and artists that in my opinion, is unparalleled.

The essence of Jazz Fest is wandering. Yes, you can build your day around a legendary headliner, but the real joy is in discovery. The gospel tent is always a sure bet, and I’ll never forget stumbling upon Brushy One String slaying on his single-string guitar at the Jazz and Heritage stage freshman year. I also recommend being equally adventurous with the food. There are six different food areas, and even a dedicated Food Heritage Stage where chefs and cooks display Louisiana’s culinary traditions. At Jazz Fest, I try to never eat the same food twice, but I can’t help going back to Panorama for Crawfish Bread, WWOZ for their Mango Freeze, and then getting a Plum St. Sno-Ball for dessert.

As a Tulane student, I have come to love Jazz Fest because it is a great opportunity to enjoy diverse music with friends new and old, and celebrate the end of the finals. The university makes it easy for students to attend as well, by offering discounted tickets through the bookstore, and providing shuttles to City Park. Overall, JF is a singularly New Orleanian experience – the best memories arise from the most unexpected stages, acts, and people, and I can guarantee that if you keep an open mind and ear, you will fall in love with this one-of-a-kind festival!

By: Justin Picard

Photo Credit: 

http://www.nola.com/jazzfest/index.ssf/2015/04/new_orleans_jazz_fest_2015_jim.html

http://www.biteandbooze.com/2012/05/wonder-where-crawfish-bread-at-jazzfest.html

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/f9d78c8b994790075715b6fcca8ab215d5168d65/c=35-0-566-400&r=x513&c=680x510/local/-/media/WWL/WWL/2014/09/10/1410371471001-10-banana-foster-cream-plum-st.jpg

Top 10 Reasons Why Tulane was the Right School for Me

Top 10 Reasons Why Tulane was the Right School for Me

Nora Colman

Here we are - crunch time. Only 5 days until everyone has to deposit and decide where to enroll - and less than 3 weeks until Graduation. While I can't say that Tulane is the right or best school for everyone, I can without a doubt say that choosing Tulane was the best thing I've ever done. 4 years later, I am completely grateful and in awe of how fast everything has gone. Here's why Tulane was the best school for me (and maybe you too!):

1. Freshman year is the most exciting and welcoming time of your life

Let’s face it – the first week of college anywhere can be terrifying in a new city, with new people and new roommates. But the minute you step on Tulane’s campus, you’ll be greeted by students handing you free t-shirts, free food (snowballs!) and usually lots of hugs. Why? Because Tulane students are genuinely excited to have you here and can’t wait to welcome you into our community.  We can’t wait to show you around to our favorite restaurants, teach you how to make cheese fries at Bruff, bring you to Fridays at the Quad and take you to Boot happy hour. Your RAs, Explore leaders, OTLs and OCs are committed to helping you love Tulane just as much as we do, and are ready to help you transition into college. Whether it’s a pizza party so you can meet the students living on your floor or taking you to Audubon Park, they will always be there during Fall Welcome to answer all of your questions.  You will get more free t-shirts, food and new phone numbers than you’ll ever be prepared for. After all, Fall Welcome is really like the beginning of camp.

At Parkway Tavern during the Nola Experience - freshman year

2. Academics, Professors and Classes

Even though it’s sometimes easy to forget, the reason you’re coming to Tulane is to get a college degree. In my freshman year, I had no idea what I wanted to study. Luckily, Tulane gives you two full years to decide what to major in, and it’s easy to change afterwards. I took a variety of classes in my freshman and sophomore years to try and figure out what interested me – Sociology, Psychology, Biology, History and English. I ended up being a Spanish and History double major, and am fortunate to have taken classes with outstanding professors that not only care about your classwork, but also how you’re doing. Professors at Tulane urge you to stop by their office hours so that they can get to know you better and help in any way possible. If ever you’re struggling in a class, professors reach out to offer their own assistance, as well as direct you to our tutoring center. Professors also incorporate New Orleans into their classes – whether it’s bringing District Donuts to class, field trips around the city, or even dedicating an entire day to the history of Mardi Gras. I’ve been lucky to have some close relationships with my professors, and have used their help to get internships in New Orleans.

Interning at the National WWII Museum - junior/senior year

3. The weather

No snow, no freezing temperatures and lots of sun – what else could you ask for? Our beautiful weather has students in a constant good mood. Tulane even has an outdoor “social pool” at Reily (our gym) for students to sit outside and sunbathe. Professors also love holding class on warm spring days. Year round, Tulane students love spending time outdoors – whether at crawfish boils at the Fly, going for walks in Audubon Park, walking around on Magazine street, or even just sitting out on the LBC Quad to study!

Crawfest - sophomore year

4. New Orleans' food

This city, hands down, has the best food I’ve ever had. While I still can’t pick an all time favorite, some of my go-to’s include Domenica (Italian), Satsuma (brunch), Salu (Spanish), and Jacques Imo’s (Creole). You can head to Parkway Tavern for one of the best sandwiches (poboys) you’ll ever have for under $10, or dress up in your new favorite outfit and head out to a swanky dinner at Redfish Grill. Even the fanciest restaurants have great happy hour deals – including 25 cent martinis at Commander’s Palace or 75 cent oysters at Lüke! I currently have a list on my phone of the 35 restaurants I want (need) to try here – and the list doesn’t even include all of the wonderful places I’ve already been to. 

Chocolate pecan pie at Galatoire's - senior year

5. New Orleans' festivals

In addition to all of the amazing restaurants are some of the best festivals you’ll ever go to – Poboy fest, with over 50 options of different poboys including sushi poboy, fried lobster and smores, French Quarter Fest (as you can tell from the picture, I ate very well) and the Ponchatoula strawberry fest, where you can go pick strawberries yourself! Head down to Champion Square for King cake festival during Mardi Gras, go see some amazing performances during Jazz Fest (so far, I’ve seen Billy Joel, Zac Brown Band, Maroon 5, and Billy Joel, and this year I’m seeing Pitbull and Elton John!), or even Art for Art’s Sake on Magazine street. And we even get festivals on our own turf at Tulane – Crawfest happens every spring, with 20,000 pounds of crawfish, food trucks, giveaways and live music.

French Quarter Fest - senior year

6. The Tulane community

Tulane students really are unique. Everyone is genuinely happy to be here – and they show it. People smile and say hello, they hold doors open, and greet you with hugs and warmth. One of the benefits of a medium sized school is that no matter where on campus I go, I know there will be at least one person who knows me and one person who doesn’t. It feels comforting to have a close support system, but the student body is large and diverse enough that it doesn’t feel suffocating. We all genuinely love Tulane and New Orleans, and whether it’s throwing beads on the Mardi Gras tree on the Academic Quad, sharing a blanket at Fridays at the Quad, tailgating on the LBC quad or even cheese day at Bruff, Tulane students prove the work hard, play hard mentality to be true. We even have our own Snapchat geotag for those late nights at the library (“on a date with Howie T”). 

On vacation in Alabama with friends - junior year

7. Internship & employment opportunities

I’ve been fortunate enough to work at Tulane’s Office of Admission since my sophomore year, and it has been such a great experience. I get to give tours, answer phone calls and emails, and brag about how wonderful Tulane is on a daily basis. There are plenty of job opportunities both on and off campus that students can take advantage of, even if you aren’t granted work/study.  I also utilized our Center for Public Studies to get an internship at the National World War II Museum downtown last summer, and actually received class credit towards my history major! Lastly, our Career Center on campus offers a plethora of services including free business cards, resume editing, practice interviews and a massive database of job opportunities, both in and out of the city. 

The wonderful Admissions interns - senior year

8. Wonderful friends

I have been lucky enough to make an extraordinary group of friends who I consider family. They’ve turned Tulane into my home-away-from-home, my go-to’s for all festivals and dinner dates, and happy hour buddies. Being in a sorority has also given me the opportunity to have a great group and support system – both within my sorority and in the Greek community as a whole. The Tulane family is strong, fun, hard working, kind, generous, and knows how to have a good time!

Bid day - sophomore year

9. Study abroad

As hard as it was for me to leave Tulane, I am so glad I went abroad. I spent the fall semester of my junior year in Granada, Spain – living, learning, eating, breathing and even dreaming all in Spanish. I took classes all in Spanish and lived with a host family that spoke no English. While abroad, I also travelled to France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Denmark, Ireland and all over Spain. I learned so much about myself and about the world, and I came back to Tulane a better, stronger and wiser person. Even if you’re not interested in learning a language, Tulane offers programs all over the world so that you can find one that matches the major(s) and country of your choice! 

Lagos, Portugal - junior year

10. Not wanting to graduate

Here’s where it gets real. It took me over a week to write this because I wasn’t emotionally ready to handle this paragraph – but here it goes. Going to Tulane has been the best decision I’ve ever made. I can’t imagine spending these past 4 years anywhere else, and know that I wouldn’t have gotten the same experience elsewhere.  No other place or experience has brought me more laughter, dancing in the streets, festivals, study dates, true friendship, and more academic and personal growth than and I ever could’ve asked for. I won’t say that Tulane is the right or best school for everyone. But it was the best school for me. Graduation (or the “g word” as I’ve been calling it) is coming up sooner than I’d like to admit, and although I have to say I am ready, Tulane and New Orleans will always hold a special place in my heart.

Reily rocks - first week of freshman year

Saints game - first week of senior year

Finding Your Niche, the Tulane Way: The “There Are 200+ Student Organizations on Campus; Where Do I Possibly Begin?” Blog You’ve All Been Waiting For

           Part of what makes the “Tulane Experience” so magical is the option for students to get involved right from the get-go by joining one (or certainly more than just one) of our over 200 active student organizations. From club sailing to political organizations to service-oriented groups, your options are essentially endless. And in the unlikely event you can’t find something that tickles your fancy? Simply gather a bunch of like-minded individuals willing to organize themselves and present your case to the Undergraduate Student Government and you’re well on the way to becoming a new student organization!

            What’s more is Tulane’s student organizations provide the chance to not only pursue your interests, but also to hone students into young leaders capable of leading large groups of people. These leadership qualities are exactly what make Tulane students so attractive to prospective employers!

           Below you’ll find five general categories of organizations highlighted to better illustrate all that you can encounter at Tulane! THIS BELOW LIST IS BY NO MEANS COMPLETE—rather, it merely scratches the surface of limitless possibilities you will find down here in New Orleans.

      Student Government—

Interested in listening to your fellow students, meeting with administrators, writing and debating legislation, or just generally governing Tulanians? Then take some time to learn about student government. One has many options for becoming involved in the various student government associations in place on campus. Run for the community government of your dorm to test the waters and see if it’s something you’re ready for. Plan banquets for your hallmates, institute new policies for your residents, or simply create new ways of celebrating life in the dorms. If you already know that student governance is for you, then try running for that Senate seat that represents your specific undergraduate school or nominate yourself for a Council Chair position that represents an umbrella of student organizations under you. With that experience under your belt, you can even run for Executive Board positions on either the Undergraduate Student Government (governing undergraduate students) or the Associated Student Body (governing all Tulane students) later on if you’ve proven yourself to your peers and can campaign hard for votes!

 The School of Science and Engineering Student Government hosting their famous Snow Day on the LBC Quad

Green Wave Ambassadors—

Have you toured Tulane yet? Have you heard some of our fabulous tour guides speak candidly about student life on those panels for Destination Tulane? If yes, then you already know about Tulane GWA. Made up of 200 of the most involved, most intelligent, and most outgoing students on campus, our Green Wave Ambassadors are responsible for taking time out of their already busy schedules to share with you exactly why they love Tulane. Now, this job may seem easy because there are so many things to love about Tulane. But this job requires serious commitment. The rewards, though, are outstanding: $5 in Amazon Bucks per tour or special event and tons of travel possibilities to recruit students from all over the country. Interested? Apply during the fall for a chance! 

Just a few of our over 200 student tour guides! 

LGBTQIA/ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Queer, Intersex, Asexual)—

Now, you don’t personally need to identify with this group in order to recognize its importance on campus. Students have many chances to find comfortable spots for themselves. Student organizations under this umbrella provide safe spaces for those who are out and/or questioning their interests. Organizations such as Gamma Rho Lambda and the Tulane Queer Straight Alliance allow students opportunities to learn, grow, and accept, further solidifying the bonds between Tulane students.

Students gathering on the LBC Quad during Pride Week at Tulane

Sports—

Are you a more athletic type? Are you looking for a way to keep in-shape to stave off the Freshman 15 or Tulane 20? If you answered yes to either of the previous questions, then playing a sport could be for you. To put things in perspective, there are three types of organized sport one can play at Tulane: Varsity (Division I sports), Club Sports, and Intramural Sports. The degree of competition varies for each and decreases from varsity to club to intramural. For those star, probably recruited, athletes, varsity sports could be your thing. At Tulane, we have 15 varsity sports teams and a brand new football stadium called Yulman Stadium! For those athletes who seek competition, but don’t have the time commitment, play a club sport. We have over 30 club sport teams, from lacrosse to cricket to quidditch, so there’s bound to be some sport that suits your interests! For those who seek a good time under the guise of working out, try an intramural sport. Over 60% of students participate in intramural sports every year, forming teams through clubs, classes, Greek organizations, and residence halls. Sports include basketball, indoor and outdoor soccer, football, sand and indoor volleyball, tennis, and others.

Nominees on Tulane's Class of 2015 Homecoming Court in Yulman Stadium, Tulane's brand new football complex

CACTUS (Community Action Council for Tulane University Students)/Emergency Response groups—

These organizations provide much needed care and comfort for those at Tulane and those in the city at large. CACTUS is the council under which all student organizations whose main focus is community outreach fall. At Tulane, we value service so much in fact that we require every student to fulfill two tiers of service learning in the greater New Orleans area. New Orleans makes us who we are and we aim to give back in any way possible. Under this umbrella, one can volunteer with organizations specializing in providing mentors to youth in the city, such as WYSE (Women and Youth Supporting Each Other), or join organizations that work for greater sustainability. If you’re interested in helping people in a greater capacity, apply to TEMS (Tulane Emergency Medical Service), an entirely student-run, volunteer medical service. Or maybe apply to SAPHE (Sexual Aggression Peer Hotline and Aggression) to provide advice and comfort for victims of sexual assault.

The logo developed by Tulane students to show support for the national It's On Us campaign, raising awareness for sexual assault

Tulane has a way of making sure its students find their place. If that first organization whose meeting you show up for isn’t that interesting, try a different one. You’re bound to find something that works for you!

Christopher Halbohn