The Goldring/Woldenberg Business Complex, home of Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business, is one of the busiest and most popular spots on campus. Every day, upon entry into the Marshall Family Commons, one is greeted by a swarm of students coming and going and endless tabling and events. The building’s colossal size, popularity and state-of-the-art amenities reflect the school’s strength. To build on its success, Tulane should increase funding and expand the business program to ensure that all students can benefit from business courses. 

On Sept. 26, Tulane’s Freeman News published an update on the school’s rise in rankings, earning a top 40 spot in the U.S. News’ Best Undergraduate Business Programs. One look at Freeman alumnus’ LinkedIn pages displays no shortage of talent and success. 

With an already robust reputation and consistently high rankings, the business school’s well-established connections with the “Big Four” accounting firms, investment banking firms like Goldman Sachs and major energy companies ensure students enter careers with potential for growth. 

Tulane has a remarkable undergraduate business program, although it is highly restrictive. Unlike many well-known business schools, such as Boston University’s Questrom School of Business and the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce, Tulane does not allow non-majors to enroll in business courses. In addition, non-business school students do not have the option to pursue a minor in business. Instead, Tulane offers SLAM, the strategy, leadership and analytics minor.  

Although SLAM presents some offerings similar to those of the business school, it is nowhere near as cohesive and in-depth. While other business school minors require students to take the same core courses as majors but at a fewer amount, Tulane’s SLAM students enroll in different courses entirely. This inequity is due to SLAM being in the School of Liberal Arts, which is vastly different from the Business School.  

Tulane University is known for its strong interdisciplinary programs, where students have academic freedom and are encouraged to pursue interests in a variety of fields. Even though students may not want to concentrate in business, gaining the skills business courses foster, such as leadership, financial literacy, effective communication and networking, are all helpful in any field. Therefore, it is important that Tulane can offer the same, robust business courses that non-majors can take.  

The main issue with the restriction is the size of the programs. Currently, the business school does not have the space for courses to accommodate anyone outside of Freeman. Even students enrolled in the business school often find it difficult to find courses, as they fill up fast. Most business courses are capped at 40 to 50 students to ensure that professors get to know their students and promote participation in a close-knit environment.   

As such, the current scale of the Freeman School cannot support business programs that extend beyond the school. To provide the critical skills business teaches without forcing students to commit to business, Tulane should expand the business school and allow more students to access its courses. In addition, Freeman’s own areas can be expanded, such as integrating information technology and operations and supply chain management concentration into its program.  

Tulane is already well known for its strong business program. Many students, myself included, chose Tulane because of the A.B. Freeman School of Business. Increasing funding to expand the faculty, areas of study and facilities is beneficial and improves academic accessibility for all students. Unlike the School of Liberal Arts, which is fairly open and unrestrictive, opening the doors to the Freeman School will drive Tulane student success.