When you’re a Tulanian, you’re a Tulanian all the way from your first trip to the Boot to your last dying day. As Tulane students, we have the luxury of going to one of the most prestigious universities in the country and living in one of the most culturally significant cities in the world. Given that a majority of Tulane students come from outside of Louisiana, there is no shortage of culture shock to go around. Jeers at how out of staters pronounce words like ‘Audubon,’ ‘pecan,’ and ‘praline’ are common. From the signs saying ‘Stop turning our homes into dorms’ to embittered battles for good parade route sites during Mardi Gras, it is no surprise the relationship between Tulane students and local New Orleanians is at a low.
Unlike Ann Arbor or Tuscaloosa, New Orleans does not have the same reputation as a quintessential college town since it is, after all, a major metropolis with an incredibly unique history. Tulane is situated in a relatively wealthy residential area of the city, where families flock to as it’s the safest part of the city. The New Orleans dynasties who reside in the grandiose houses along St. Charles Avenue also call Uptown home. These residents of all different age or socioeconomic class demographics place higher expectations of decorum for Tulane students who have a quench for partying than people who live in more traditional college towns. Since its founding in 1834, Tulane has served as an integral element of the New Orleans community and the city of New Orleans is a cultural gem. So, how did a Cold War emerge? The answer: irreconcilable differences.
Tulane’s status as a party school is not disappearing, nor are people whose families have lived in New Orleans for generations. A Tulane legend goes that frats routinely call the police on one another, but locals take part in reporting frats for noise complaints just as much if not more. This cat and mouse game is ongoing; it comes to a heat during Mardi Gras for example. Both groups have vastly different interpretations of how best to commemorate the height of Carnival season. For Tulane, the fashion is inspired by the likes of what one might wear to Coachella. Typical Tulane Mardi Gras also consists of a six-day-long frat party marathon from parade routes to Broadway St, finishing with Tequila Sunrise. Everyone else dresses modestly and casually, opting for placid outings to parades. New Orleans City Council passed a ‘no tents’ law but that did not stop rowdy Tulane students in all their glamour from partying at their usual spots along the Uptown parade route. With the utmost chagrin, locals would set up shop in front of frats and complain about the drunk college students. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
There’s a conspicuous dichotomy between the overall wealthiness of the Tulane student body and the average New Orleans resident. Louisiana is one of the poorest states in the US, with about 18% of the population living below the poverty line. The immense privilege that most Tulane students have being more well-off plays into the tension fostered as well. There’s certainly a disregard for the community at large at almost any college, but it would be wrong to assume all Tulane students are ignorant, spoiled, rich kids. Tulane has numerous service opportunities provided by co-ed fraternities like APO and Epsilon Eta. It would also be remiss to not mention the service learning requirement of the Tulane curriculum. Giving back to the people of New Orleans is a decades-long Tulane tradition. But this still does not suffice somehow.
Gentrification of the Uptown area is a chief concern of New Orleans residents, which is one of the factors behind why the movement ‘Stop Turning Our Homes Into College Housing’ originated. Nevertheless, The Tulane administration wanted to make them happy and instated the three-year on-campus living requirement starting next year to reduce traffic to the area. With a less competitive housing market, this serves as a reaching of an olive branch to improve relations. However, this incentive was met with mixed reactions. Some current sophomores voiced relief at not having to worry about finding a lease as quickly, however, others are irritated by the lack of independence. The only true way out is studying abroad, but not everybody can afford that nor want to leave behind their friends for a semester.
In conclusion, nobody wants to walk down a street covered with whippets so much as Tulane students don’t want to be derided for just existing. To quote Harry Truman’s presidential campaign, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”
About Evelyn Young
Evelyn is a senior from the Chicago area majoring in Digital Media Practices and Jewish Studies with a minor in French. This past summer, she studied creative writing in Paris. Evelyn has held a variety of positions within the Crescent and is incredibly excited to begin her role as Senior Editor. After graduating from Tulane, she hopes to move to Los Angeles to pursue her film career.
Evelyn is a senior from the Chicago area majoring in Digital Media Practices and Jewish Studies with a minor in French. This past summer, she studied creative writing in Paris. Evelyn has held a variety of positions within the Crescent and is incredibly excited to begin her role as Senior Editor. After graduating from Tulane, she hopes to move to Los Angeles to pursue her film career.
