<p>Rice University and the Baylor College of Medicine (no current affiliation with Baylor University in Waco, TX) have "[signed] a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that lays out a broad framework for formal negotiations about a possible merger of [the] two institutions."</p>
<p>I really hate to hear that Rice may merge with BCM. Rice is far away the superior institution and merger will tend to be a drag on Rice. </p>
<p>If they want to work together why not enter into a formal joint venture for some amount of time or combined project. Something that can be gotten out of after they find out how much extra time, cost and energy it is going to take to operate a medical school in the years ahead. </p>
<p>There are a number of entities at the Texas Medical Center that can be partners in research - no need to think you have to merge with one of them to do research.</p>
<p>A merger would be a great benefit for Baylor but will end up being a distraction for the leadership of Rice. Why not merge with an oil company and say we will now be one of the world’s leading energy research entities? It just isn’t the best thing for Rice at this time.</p>
<p>Focus on what you do best. At the least, why not just wait another 5 years until Baylor or another hospital across the street is in near bankruptcy and pick it up on the cheap then?</p>
<p>I hope the alumni voice strong opposition to this.</p>
<p>Cressida</p>
<p>Baylor is deep in debt. So the “merger” is pretty much Rice buying them out. It is part of Leebrons V2C with a stronger Graduate experience as well</p>
<p>^ Exactly, they are deep in debt because the schools cash flow has not covered their on-going expenses. They would like to merge with Rice so that they can consume a part of Rice’s cash. Sort of like looking for a “Sugar Daddy”. Net result would be a net cash outflow for Rice - read more expenses. A change in ownership is not going to change the poor economics of operating a medical school. It is only going to get worse in the near term too.</p>
<p>See my post, which updates the status and provides a more definitive plan when Rice’s vision is going. Looks like engineering is phasing out and a premedical institute coming in. Such a program would put Rice in a league of its own.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/rice-university/682753-rice-shift-engineering-premedical-studies.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/rice-university/682753-rice-shift-engineering-premedical-studies.html</a></p>
<p>Different_steps, that email was a joke.</p>
<p>Dear faculty, staff and students,</p>
<p>You probably already figured out that an e-mail you received earlier today about “Important news regarding Rice and Baylor” was sent by someone other than President Leebron even though it had his signature and listed “<a href=“mailto:president@rice.edu”>president@rice.edu</a>” as the sender. Apparently it was intended as an April Fools’ joke. Rest assured that no decision has been made about the merger of Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine, and we won’t be phasing out the School of Engineering.</p>
<p>With regards,
Linda Thrane
Vice President for Public Affairs</p>
<p>Dear Rice community,</p>
<p>Rice faces a changing world in its second century, and we must embrace the
challenges of the years ahead not as individuals but as a community. Recent
events have shown us that our future leaders will have to be concerned
with the human element of the future, as well as the technological. It is
for this reason that we have elected to move forward in our negotiations
with the Baylor College of Medicine. We believe, and feel confident, that
timely action will better allow us to prepare our students for the challenges
ahead. It is thus with great pride, and with the backing of the Board of
Trustees, that I announce to you our great institution’s merger with the
Baylor College of Medicine.</p>
<p>In addition to this important milestone in Rice’s history, an addendum has
been made to Rice’s Vision for the Second Century. Although Rice has long
been known for–and indeed committed to–providing quality education for
tomorrow’s scientists and engineers, we must continually look to the future
in order to stay at the forefront of higher education. It is for this
reason that a plan has been introduced whereby Rice University will
transform, gradually taking upon itself another identity. As the global
demands for healthcare continue to grow, we’ve chosen to make medicinal
studies a priority–a priority that, unfortunately, requires sacrifice in
other areas.</p>
<p>Although the details have not been finalized, a five-year plan has been
approved by the Board of Trustees whereby the current undergraduate
engineering curriculum will be gradually phased out to make room for
promising medical fields. Our hope is that a focus on medicine will attract
a host of creative, intelligent undergraduates to the Rice Premedical
Institute. The plan also calls for modifications within other departments
to emphasize this new direction. Although some might view these changes
with resentment, we strongly believe that such changes are necessary if
Rice’s Vision for the Second Century is to be successful.</p>
<p>As is to be expected, the recent economic crisis has lent an urgency to
Rice’s planned changes. History has shown that maintaining competitive
undergraduate programs in uncertain times is both financially risky and
ethically impure. As demand for certain fields wanes, it is our responsibility
as an institution of higher learning to ensure that Rice students study
within areas that not only show promise but also are financially viable.
As always, Rice will continue to adapt and grow as global demands shift.</p>
<p>Thank you for the suggestions and insight that have helped shape our
decisions so far. We continue to welcome your ideas going forward and
sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.</p>
<p>With regards,</p>
<p>David W. Leebron
President</p>
<p>Just in case you didn’t catch it, the above is the April Fool’s joke!!!</p>