Dear Tulane University School of Science and Engineering Administration and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology Administration:

It has come to our attention that there have been discussions about phasing out or decreasing available seats in the CELL and SCEN anatomy cadaveric dissection offerings within the School of Science and Engineering (SSE). Though we, as students, have not been privy to the discussions, the removal of CELL-4490 (Anatomy) as a course offering in the Spring 2024 semester and the increase of the CELL-4480 (Head and Neck Anatomy) undergraduate lab fee to a cost-prohibitive $1,000 (from $200 in years past) have not gone unnoticed. On behalf of current students in the anatomy courses, prospective students, alumni, student organizations, parents/families, and all other interested parties, we strongly urge you to maintain these incredibly valuable programs.

SSE’s mission statement emphasizes the value of unique and intellectually-stimulating experiences, with the goal of providing “outstanding opportunities for learning and discovery in science and engineering and to foster an environment that is student focused…”. As one of only a handful of institutions in the country that offers undergraduate cadaveric dissection (rather than pre-prepared prosected specimens, virtual anatomy, or plastic models), these programs are a major component of what sets Tulane apart from other institutions, and we are dismayed that these unique opportunities are at risk of being shuttered.

Anatomy is more than just a course that we take for a grade. It is our first tangible, tactile glimpse into the world of healthcare and medicine. Many of us consider our cadaveric donors to be our first patients. A significant portion of what we learn from dissection pertains to the individual anatomic variations that arise from the genetics and life experiences of our donors. Each individual is different, and virtual reality, models, or online resources cannot even begin to instill the level of sensitivity and awareness that we will need to best serve each of our patients in the future. The importance and uniqueness of these anatomy courses to pre-medical students, pre-veterinary students, pre-dental students, pre-physician assistant students, pre-pathology assistant students, pre-physical therapy students, pre-occupational therapy students, and many, many more cannot be overstated.

For many of us, anatomy is a required component of our undergraduate education before we enter into our professional programs. Once enrolled in these programs, Tulane alumni distinguish themselves because of the superior preparation that anatomy courses with cadaveric dissection provide, which reflects well on this institution. Further, the cadaveric dissection-based anatomy programs provide meaningful and necessary opportunities for graduate and professional students at Tulane to teach and mentor others in preparation for careers of their own. To eliminate the cadaveric dissection component from anatomy would be a major disservice to all students who chose Tulane for its exemplary learning opportunities, and would negatively impact the education of the healthcare professionals of tomorrow.

We are excited about the future of the School of Science and Engineering. We believe that the time, effort, and money invested into student education is important to SSE, as evidenced by the incredible breadth and depth of programs currently offered as well as the construction of Paul Hall. We understand that these programs are expensive, but in terms of tuition costs, so is Tulane. We place our money, time, and faith in Tulane to provide a top-tier education, and we believe that cadaver lab is an irreplaceable part of that education. Students enrolled here likely had many choices, but chose Tulane in part based on the strength of its academic programs and offerings. Prospective students are also watching, and will undoubtedly factor the decisions made in this moment into their decision of whether to attend Tulane. We implore you to stay consistent to the mission and values of Tulane and SSE, and continue to meaningfully invest in the education component of higher education. After all, what use are shiny new buildings if the education happening within them is not of an equally high caliber?

The principal authors of this letter are current Seniors and will not be impacted by these proposed changes. However, in light of the incredible learning experiences we have had in these anatomy programs, and in line with Tulane University’s motto, “Not for oneself, but for one’s own”, we strongly urge you to reconsider this approach, and to proactively solicit student input prior to any future course cancellations. We appreciate your time in reading this letter and would be more than happy to discuss the proposed changes in further detail. If so desired, please contact Eshan Damle (edamle@tulane.edu) and Jasmine Kiley (jkiley@tulane.edu) to set up a meeting. 

Listed are some proposed solutions:

• Consolidate the SCEN, BMEN, and CELL anatomy labs to the same curriculum but keep or increase the total number of seats available such that all students who need and want to take the course are able to during their time at Tulane.
• Charge a reasonable lab fee for Anatomy and Head and Neck Anatomy (in the range of $200-$500).
• Solicit grants and/or donations from SSE alumni - knowing they are directly supporting the next generation of Tulane SSE graduates to have this unparalleled experience.