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Student Resource Guide

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Welcome to The Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine!

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. We are thrilled you have chosen Tulane to advance your study in public health. We know that you have choices, and we think you’ve made the right decision to join an innovative leader in public health, the first in the nation and a school that offers a practical, hands-on approach to public health where we encourage students to be innovative, collaborative, and service-minded.

While our global footprint of students, faculty, alumni, and research has always been broad, our student body now encompasses a growing cadre of online learners who are an active, vital part of our community. As a student, you have the opportunity to connect with peers across the room and across the world. I urge you to take the opportunity to meet classmates across programs and disciplines – these people will become your colleagues in a relatively short period of time. These networking skills will also stay with you as you take your education out into the workplace and advance your career.

Over the past few years, we’ve greatly expanded our Student Experience team because we value the experience you have here at the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Make use of these qualified professionals who are there to advise you on your academic journey, assist you with the challenges that arise in graduate school, and prepare you for a long and successful career in public health.

Welcome. Roll wave!

Best regards,

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Student Government Association

Hi Everyone, and welcome to The Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine! My name is Jared Christian, and I am serving as your Student Government Association (SGA) President for the 2024-2025 school year. We welcome you on behalf of the SGA executive board and the current student body! Below is essential information on how to get involved in school and keep in the loop throughout the semester as you begin your journey as a Tulane SPHTM student in New Orleans!

The SGA is an organization that coordinates activities for students and voices their concerns by working alongside the administration and faculty. We work closely with the student organizations and host many events/activities throughout the year.

Every month, SGA hosts general body meetings for all students. These meetings are intended to help students express concerns, bring up questions, and get involved in activities and organization. We hope to keep you in the loop and uplift your student experience at Tulane. There are chair and ambassador positions open for the 2024-2025 school year that you can apply for. More information about this will be given in the future. Feel free to email us at sphtmsga@tulane.edu if you are interested.

Organizations

Tulane embraces student participation, and as part of your Tulane experience, we want you to be involved in our student body! Here at Tulane, you have the opportunity to become a part of student organizations that appeal to your area of interest or a topic you want to learn more about. A prominent aspect of working in public health is making valuable connections and getting involved. Taking advantage of these opportunities and resources will help you succeed as a student and a public health professional going out into the field.

SGA is at your service as we work closely with many student organizations. These student organizations represent the diversity of our student body and various public health interests:

Stay In The Loop

Please follow our social media pages to stay updated with all the latest news, events, and activities! We post about academic events, networking events, and parties.

On behalf of the entire SGA board, we are excited to get to know you this fall!

Jared Christian

Student Government Association President, Master of Public Health | Department of Environmental Sciences, 2025

SGA Officers from left to right: Jared Christian (President, | sgapres@tulane.edu); Caroline Kennedy (Vice President | sgavp@tulane.edu; Rishi Patel (Treasurer | sgatreas@tulane.edu); Sneha Dev (Secretary, sgasec@tulane.edu)
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Tidewater Map

The Office of Student Experience created the map to the left to help you navigate the area surrounding the SPHTM campus. You can visit the interactive map here.

Here are two other maps for the downtown campus area that you may find useful:

Tidewater Building Directory

1st floor

  • Allied Security & TUPD Desk
  • Diboll Gallery & Auditorium
  • Student Lounges, lockers & bike room
  • Classroom (Room 105) & Small Conference Room (Room 104)
  • Grab & Geaux
  • Food for Thought Pantry (student lounge area)

8th floor

  • Mail Room (Room 802)
  • Parking/Card Services (Room 803)

11th floor

12th floor | Classrooms

  • SGA Office (Room 1221)
  • Study Rooms (Rooms 1200, 1205, 1223)
  • Computer Labs/Help Desk (1216-20)
  • Financial Aid Office (Room 1213)
  • Career Studio (Room 1227)
  • Multipurpose Room (Room 1225)
  • Student Lactation Room (Room 1219)

15th floor

16th floor

17th floor

  • Classroom (Room 1708)
  • Doctoral Student Lounge (Room 1715)

18th floor

  • SPHTM Information Technology
  • Study/Conference Room (Room 1819) AKA “The Green Room”
  • Classroom (Room 1825)
  • Interview Room (Room 1831A) Reserve through Calendly with your Tulane credentials

19th floor

20th floor

21st floor

22nd floor

23rd floor

24th floor

Suite 2400:

  • Deans' Offices
  • MD/MPH Program
  • Academic Affairs
  • DrPH Program Director

Suite 2460

Suite 2417

Suite 2425

Locations Not in the Tidewater Building

143 South Liberty

1430 Tulane Avenue

1227 Tulane Avenue

1315 Gravier Street

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Contacts

Administration

Departments

Other Contacts

Emergency Contacts

  • Downtown Emergency: 504.988.5555
  • Downtown Dispatch (non-emergency): 504.988.5331
  • Uptown Emergency: 504.865.5911
  • Uptown Dispatch (non-emergency): 504.865.5381

These numbers are also found on the back of your Tulane ID (Splashcard).

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Academic Resources

Academic Calendar

Visit the Academic Calendar page for an example of how to use the university calendar and for key dates specific to SPHTM.

Rudolph Matas Library

The health sciences library dates back to the founding of Tulane University in 1834 and is an essential resource for students, faculty, and staff. Matas offers workshops throughout the semester on how to write for the health sciences, use citation management tools, perform literature reviews using PubMed, and many more topics you’ll encounter on your graduate school journey. View the calendar for all upcoming workshops.

Here are some links to start your library exploration:

Uptown Bookstore/Ordering Online

The Tulane University Bookstore offers a wide variety of books, gifts, and apparel. The uptown campus bookstore is located in the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life. They are also your source for commencement regalia, invitations, and other graduation items. Students may also order textbooks online at tulane.bncollege.com or by calling (504) 865-5913.

Academic Policies & Standards

Important Policies & Forms

Before classes start, review the Academic Standards Policy, sign and submit the Academic Honor Code to the office of academic affairs. Academic Policies can be found here, and additional resources and handbooks are here (use your Tulane SSO to log in).

Code of Conduct Overview/Purpose

To prevent a class registration hold, be sure to sign the Pledge and Honor/Code of Conduct (COC) and submit to Susan Cantrell, Senior Academic Records Administrator, cantrell@tulane.edu.

Academic Standards Overview

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA at SPHTM in order to graduate. Students who fail to maintain good academic standing will be placed on academic probation. The Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs will place students on academic probation if a student:

  • Has an overall GPA of less than 3.0 after attempting at least 12 credit hours
  • Receives a grade of C or lower in 2 courses in one semester
  • Receives one grade of F in one semester.

See doctoral regulations in the academic handbook on the intranet for specific information relating to academic probation for doctoral degrees. You can find those at inside.sphtm.tulane.edu by logging in with your TU username and password.

The students section of Inside SPHTM hosts all the academic and administrative forms you may need during your time as a student.

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Technology Services

Tulane Technology Services seeks to provide support to all Tulane faculty, staff, and students across all our campuses. Technology Services can assist students with questions and service requests over the phone at 504-988-8888 or at the web site.

Getting Started

Having the right technology is essential for your academic success! Tablets like Chromebooks or iPads can be helpful, but to take online classes and complete quizzes, you will need something with a little more power. IT has put together a video about what computer requirements, software access, and more "need to know" technology information.

Tulane E-mail

Your Tulane email account is the official means of correspondence from Tulane University and should be checked for important information including special announcements from faculty and SPHTM SGA.

SPHTM IT

The School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine operates a local technology support group in the Tidewater building. Located on the 18th floor, the SPHTM IT group can assist with wireless connectivity, software installation, and poster-printing. The office is open Mon-Fri 8:30am to 5:00pm. Assistance can also be requested via email using sphhelp@tulane.edu or over the phone by dialing 504-988-2685.

Tulane Learning Management System, CANVAS

Tulane University delivers digital class content to students via our Learning Management System CANVAS. Students can access their course content by visiting: https://tulane.instructure.com. A technology guide is available at https://guidearchive.wp.tulane.edu/learn-anywhere/.

E-Academy

Technology Services provides an online storefront where numerous software choices are offered for free or at a substantial discount to students.

Technology Connection

Tulane provides a physical storefront where students can purchase Dell and Apple equipment with a discount. Students can also bring their personal laptops to the service desk located inside the store to get assistance with repairs and upgrades. The Technology Connection store is located on the first floor of the LBC building uptown. Free shuttle service runs from the Public Health campus to the Uptown campus.

Wireless Services

Eduroam is a Tulane wi-fi network for Tulane students, faculty, and staff. Authentication to eduroam allows access to wireless networks on other participating college campuses as well. Learn how to set up wireless access.

Service Now, IT Ticket System, and Knowledge Base

The IT Ticketing System and Knowledge Base are available to all Tulane students. The Knowledge Base contains instructional how-to on common technology issues facing students as well as configuration guides for connecting your devices to various services such as Outlook Mail and wi-fi.

Computer Labs

Computer labs are available to current students for drop-in use when classes are not in session. The labs are in rooms 1216, 1218, 1220 and the Matas Library. The labs provide convenient access to a wide variety of software applications.

Security

Information Policies such as data security and copyright govern the broad range of electronic activities that you may engage in as a student. Find more information about specific regulations and topics including phishing by visiting the web site.

Gibson Demographic Information Updates

Please be sure to update your local address as well as other demographics via Gibson during your time at SPHTM.

Student Privacy and Confidentiality

If you select the “confidentiality” box option in Gibson you will be excluded from all university correspondence. This selection has recently been updated to only show name and email address in the directory. Please do not select this if you want to be on the university communications list. You will also be omitted from the graduation program unless you change your privacy status prior to your graduation.

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Campus Resources

Campus Health

Campus Health provides an integrated, holistic approach to physical and mental well-being. The Health Center is staffed by licensed and board-certified providers offering high-quality medical care. The Counseling Center team of trained professionals fosters personal, emotional, and academic growth.

Downtown Campus Health | 127 Elk Place |Tulane University School of Social Work, Room 261

Safety & Preparedness

The Tulane University Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency that provides police services to the Uptown Campus, the Downtown Medical Center Campus and the National Primate Research Center located in Covington. We strive to adhere to the best practices including nationally recognized standards for the delivery of police services and are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The Tulane University Police Department employs full-time commissioned police officers who are trained at state-certified police academies and meet all the requirements of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.

TUPD Services

  • PERSONAL ESCORTS: If you feel unsafe walking on campus, contact us any time of the day for an escort.
  • VEHICLE ASSISTS: TUPD officers provide jumpstarts and vehicle unlocks for our students at no cost.
  • SECURITY ASSESSMENTS: Security assessments of off-campus residences are offered for our community members. These assessments are provided by certified Crime Prevention Specialists and contain recommendations on security best practices.
  • PROPERTY THEFT is the predominant crime on Tulane’s campus. A vast majority of these thefts are completely preventable! DO NOT leave your personal items unattended or your residence hall rooms unlocked. In the blink of an eye, your stuff can be taken.
  • TUPD Downtown Security Perimeter Map

Hurricane Preparedness

As a city on the Gulf Coast, New Orleans is subject to tropical storms and hurricanes. Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30, with late August/early September as the peak of activity. It is incumbent upon all students, staff, and faculty to establish their own personal preparedness plans that include sheltering in place and potential evacuation planning.

You will get more information about hurricane planning and personal preparedness, but in the meantime, you can visit these sites to familiarize yourself with the anticipated timelines, lingo, and considerations to keep yourself safe:

Most importantly, make sure your contact info is up to date in Gibson Online because this is where the university and occasionally the school will send texts, emails, and phone calls to alert you about potentially disruptive situations.

Shuttles & Transportation

The Tulane University Shuttles and Transportation system helps you travel safely and easily to, from, and around our campuses. Providing over 260,000 rides annually to the Tulane University community, we offer commuter connections to faculty, staff, and students between the uptown, downtown, Elmwood and University Square campuses.

Check the shuttle schedules for updated information or to use the tracker.

The City of New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) offers bus, streetcar, and ferry options.

Campus Services recognizes parking is important to Tulane's living, learning, teaching, and research communities and every day are finding ways to enhance our services and create better experiences for you. For the downtown campus, mostly paid surface lots are available, but SPHTM students can park in the building after 5pm on weekdays upon registering with Campus Services.

Universal Parking is pleased to provide a reduced monthly fee of $50 for 24/7 access for all Tulane students at the 1540 Canal Street parking lot only (and not other Universal parking lots). If interested in applying for reduced rate e-mail nolaparking@universalparking.com. Use your Tulane e-mail address and provide Tulane contact information when applying/registering to qualify for this special offer. Registering with a personal or non-Tulane email is a disqualification for the offer.

If you have questions or need more information about parking on Tulane's campuses call 504-865-5441, email parking@ tulane.edu, or email sphtmstudentexperience@tulane.edu.

On-Demand/TapRide Service Changes

TransLoc On Demand transportation service is designed to drop passengers off at a Tulane property, residence, grocery store, or pharmacy within the defined geographic boundary. It is not designed for last minute transit needs. See Tulane Shuttles page for more information.

Accessibility Services

At the Goldman Center for Student Accessibility, we seek to eliminate barriers, advocate for inclusion, and ensure access for every member of our community. We stand by our mission, to recognize that a community rich in diversity acknowledges that great minds think differently.

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Splash Card

Note: Before you can obtain your Tulane ID/Splashcard, you must be registered for classes and have your Tulane ID number available (this number can be found thru your Gibson by downloading an unofficial transcript showing your name and id number).

Your Tulane Splash Card is more than your university ID. It has many other uses that fall into three categories: identification card, method of payment, and building access. Click here to learn more about each of these categories. As a safety measure, your Tulane ID is required to be worn and visible; it is also required to enter all Tulane buildings. As a safety measure Splash Cards are only issued in person and not mailed out to anyone. We regret any inconvenience, but for the safety of the Tulane community, we must ensure Tulane ID is placed in the right hands. If you don’t have a Splash Card you can sign in at the security desk on the 1st floor lobby of SPHTM aka Tidewater Building. A complimentary lanyard is available in the SPHTM Office of Student Experience in the Tidewater building on the 24th floor, Suite 2460.

Card Services has two locations:

  • Downtown Tidewater Building 8th floor (Room 803)
  • Uptown Lavin-Bernick Center (LBC) Suite 107 | splashcard@tulane.edu | Phone: 504/865-5441
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Office of Student Experience, Career Services, & Office of Advising and Student Success

In support of the overall mission of Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, the office of student experience—in collaboration with students, faculty, and staff—will cultivate an environment of student success, inclusion, support, engagement, and innovation.

We foster a diverse community of leaders and problem solvers.

We are always interested in your student experience. All faculty and staff are here to help you. Also, as a central contact you can always email sphtmstudentexperience@tulane.edu or call 504-988-7111.

Office of Advising and Student Success

The Office of Advising and Student Success provides leadership and guidance in developing, implementing, and maintaining a comprehensive academic success program and initiatives for all SPHTM graduate students, promoting a culture of persistence and retention.

Career Services

Career Services is dedicated to serving current students and recent alumni in their quest for professional development and career guidance. Through individual advising, resume and cover letter review, mock interviews, group career programming, and networking opportunities, our mission is to guide students towards their goals both inside and outside of Tulane. Career Services provides students with the most updated career news, upcoming opportunities, and important dates through our weekly email newsletter.

Our Career Advisors can answer your questions and help you take action, whether you are practicing for a job interview or working on your LinkedIn profile. Career Advising appointments can be made by scheduling online with Darrington Anderson (calendly.com/danderson6 ) Abby Lukens (calendly.com/alukens) or John Nonnamaker (calendly.com/jnonnama), to schedule a time to talk in person, over the phone, or via Zoom.

SPHTM Career Services utilizes Handshake, a centralized online platform, to provide job, internship, and professional opportunities tailored to your needs. Log in to Handshake today using your Tulane sign-on information. We have our career resources, including instructional guides, posted in Handshake and on the Career Resources website.

Career Services Contacts

  • Abby Lukens, Director, alukens@tulane.edu | 504-988-7121
  • John Nonnamaker, Career Advisor, jnonnama@tulane.edu | 504-988-9872
  • Darrington Anderson, Career Advisor, danderson5@tulane.edu | 504.988.2632
  • SPHTM Career Studio Tidewater Suite 1227
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Alumni Association

Congratulations on your acceptance into the Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine! You are about to embark on an incredible journey of knowledge and growth! You are also now officially counted among the ever-growing and immensely impressive ranks of SPHTM Alumni, and as your Director of Alumni Relations, it is my honor to welcome you to the Alumni Association.

The SPHTM Alumni Association boasts a membership of over 15,000 individuals. Those individuals are working in foreign countries, studying diseases and delivering care to the most rural areas; they are working in the US with organizations like the CDC, local, state, and federal governments, and running hospital and healthcare administration systems along with teaching, researching and writing. SPHTM Alumni also provide a vast network of resources for current students and other alumni, providing mentoring opportunities, career guidance, internships, practicum opportunities, and even job opportunities.

I hope that your time as an SPHTM student is full of academic enrichment and building relationships with your peers and professors. I look forward to getting to know you as students and as SPHTM Alumni. Please don’t hesitate to reach out should you have any questions.

Roll Wave!

SPHTM Alumni Relations

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Global Scholars Program

The Global Scholars Program (GSP) prepares public health students for work and service in an international setting through monthly seminars, service events, and professional development workshops. It offers a communal space where students with similar interests can gather, learn and teach. GSP is run by public health students who are also Paul D. Coverdell Fellows at Tulane SPHTM, and as returned Peace Corps volunteers they bring their particular experience to every aspect of the organization. Meetings are held roughly every other week throughout the semester, and are tailored to the needs of GSP participants. They include guest speakers from UNICEF, USAID, Mercy Corps, and CRS, professional development workshops hosted in cooperation with Tulane SPHTM Career Services, and skills development workshops on topics, such as cultural competency and community integration, essential to ethical international work. Service events are held with a variety of New Orleans community and environmental organizations, such as GrowDat community garden, the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, and the Louisiana SPCA."

The Internationalist is the Global Scholars publication, and it features returned Peace Corps volunteers' writings and photography. Read The Internationalist (cover pictured at left).

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Live, Work, Eat in New Orleans

Student Employment

The University offers student employment opportunities to all students regardless of if you have work study.

Federal Work Study

  • Students must accept a work-study award as part of the financial aid package to be eligible for a Work Study job.
  • Confirm Work Study award by visiting Gibson Online. Instructions can be found on the Financial Aid Website.
  • FWS awards are restricted to U.S. citizens only.
  • Contact your Financial Aid counselor if you have any questions.

Student Employment Office | 1555 Poydras | New Orleans, LA 70112 | 504-247-1700 | sehr@tulane.edu

Tulane University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative action/ADA/Veterans Employer. All eligible candidates are invited to apply for position vacancies as appropriate.

Eating Downtown

Grab & Geaux, located on the first floor of The Tidewater Building, provides an assortment of fresh foods, prepackaged cold food, snacks, and all Coca Cola beverages. You will need your Splash Card to enter the Grab & Geaux. The Grab & Geaux is also a great place to just hang out and eat your lunch or relax on the comfy sofas and lounge chairs.

Medical School Food Court: Please check out the School of Medicine’s food court hours and offerings including Simply to Go and The Grill. There are also food trucks parked daily outside the TU hospital on Tulane Avenue between 11:00am-2:00pm.

The downtown area also has many restaurants within a short walk including Subway, Mr. Bubbles, and the cafeteria at the School of Medicine. Check out many more places to eat and things to do at New Orleans, 24/7 since 1718.

Downtown Housing

Deming Pavillion

The Bertie M. and John W. Deming Pavilion is Tulane University’s graduate housing complex. It is located on Tulane's downtown campus in the New Orleans medical district and offers furnished studio, one and two bedroom apartments. Please note the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine is not able to cancel Deming Housing contracts.

Thirteen15

Modern comfort. Exceptional convenience. Find the path to your picture-perfect Tulane lifestyle at Thirteen15, a bold new community ideally located in the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana, right next to the university’s Downtown campus. Select from fully furnished studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments with a stylish, midcentury vibe. Enjoy your new home’s striking modern kitchen, filled with energy-efficient GE appliances, and the community’s inviting outdoor patio and ground floor shops, where you can take in the sights and sounds of New Orleans.

930 Poydras

930 Poydras is a new graduate student housing complex with 579 beds in 473 units that can accommodate health science students, faculty, and administrative staff working at LSU and other qualifying colleges, including Tulane University, Xavier University, Dillard University, and Delgado Community College.

Off-Campus Living

There are so many great neighborhoods in New Orleans, and each one has its quirks and hidden gems. Most neighborhoods are accessible to SPHTM via public transportation or the TU shuttle, and several are within bicycling distance. Some neighborhood names you've probably heard include Uptown, Garden District, Lower Garden District, Irish Channel, Bywater, Marigny, Mid City, and Broadmoor.

Wherever you decide to live, the university has put together a great off-campus living guide to help you navigate neighborhoods and local ordinances to help you live your best New Orleans life.

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COVID-19

The SPHTM is following the university guidance for COVID-19 protocols.

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Feedback & Concerns

Tulane University and SPHTM is always interested in your student experience. We use various communication outlets to capture your feedback and suggestions, including Conversations with Your Dean, SPHTM SGA, and surveys. Please feel free to share your feedback anytime so we can respond effectively to help you and potentially help others in the future. Be on the lookout as there will be multiple places to find out what’s happening at Tulane and SPHTM including e-mail, monitors, and social media.

Tulane also has a centralized online report form for complaints and concerns which is the primary, and preferred, method for submitting any report of concern about a student and their behavior, including but not limited to conduct that may violate the Code of Student Conduct. This system allows for efficient routing of concerns to the appropriate office, as well as tracking follow-through on a concern.

If you are aware of conduct that violates the Code of Student Conduct or that otherwise causes you concern, we encourage you to file an online report. Filing a report regarding conduct or any another concern allows the appropriate offices to address the concerning behavior.

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