Alcee Fortier houses the Center for Public Service office on campus. Alcee Fortier Hall was constructed in 1908 and designed by DeBuys, Churchill and Labouisse architects in the Italian Renaissance style. The entrance porticoes paraphrase the Cancellaria in Rome. Built of brick, it was originally used as a dormitory for medical students, dedicated to Dr. Tobias Gibson Richardson. It later housed athletes and Navy sailors before retiring to academic pursuits and changing its name. It was renamed for a renowned Tulane Professor of Romance Languages (the only building on campus dedicated to a lifelong, full-time faculty member). Professor Fortier (1856-1914) was of a generation of faculty know for their striking character and classroom dominance, whose influence perpetuated among students for generations.
The Center for Public Service, founded in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina, operates as the headquarters for the Tulane VISTA Program. While VISTA members engage in service at various sites throughout New Orleans, the CPS offices serve as a hub for meetings, training, and community engagement activities, fostering collaboration between Tulane and over 600 partner organizations. Recognizing VISTA members as potential community leaders, CPS cultivates a supportive environment both within its offices and across its network of service opportunities.