Dear SoPA Students,

I hope that you had safe and enjoyable holidays, and a restful break from classes. Welcome, again, to our new students, and best wishes to everyone for a productive spring 2021 semester.

I have a special announcement to make - I am convening a small group of current SoPA students to serve as an advisory board, and hope that you will apply. This Dean's Student Advisory Board will meet at least once a semester by Zoom, and will serve as "kitchen cabinet" for advising me on important issues such as the school's response to the current pandemic, current calls for greater racial equity, and how to improve student support. Here is a link to a page describing the board and to the application form, which requires one letter of recommendation. I welcome applicants from all SoPA programs, both undergraduate and graduate, online and on-campus, and again, hope that you will consider applying. Applications are due Friday, February 12th, 2021.

COVID-19 Testing: Students who are in online-only degree and certificate programs are automatically opted out of COVID-19 testing requirements (though you will receive daily text messages). If you have been incorrectly categorized (i.e. you are online-only and not coming to campus, so do not want to participate in testing, or you have not received a testing email and do want to participate in testing), please email CHTestResults@tulane.edu with your name and student ID (i.e. Splash card) number to change your participation status.

As a reminder, we are seeking faculty nominations for the John Percy Dyer Award and need your assistance. Fill out the survey below for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the bookstore! The deadline to submit your nomination has been extended to January 24, 2021.

The John Percy Dyer Award, named after the founding dean of University College, the predecessor school to SoPA, is awarded to faculty who have distinguished themselves in teaching. This is a great opportunity to recognize the many excellent teachers at SoPA. Please nominate your deserving faculty using the link below.

The John Percy Dyer Award recipient and other faculty members who will receive a SoPA Distinguished Faculty award will be chosen by a faculty committee that reviews student nominations and course evaluations. Award recipients will be announced in March.

We want to hear from you! Students are Tulane SoPA's biggest advocates, and we want to showcase your experiences. If SoPA had a positive impact on your life, tell us about it. Your short testimonial can help potential students see the value of a Tulane SoPA education. Participants will receive SoPA swag.