<p>January 12, 2010</p>
<p>To: The Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine communities</p>
<p>From: Presidents David Leebron and William Butler</p>
<p>We are writing to inform you that Baylor College of Medicine and Rice University have ended our discussions about a possible merger of our two institutions. At the same time, both institutions have agreed to develop further our existing academic and research relationship, which has grown significantly over the years.</p>
<p>Since we signed a memorandum of understanding in March of 2009, we have been in extensive discussions in an attempt to meet several conditions that both institutions considered to be essential for a successful merger. We joined in a thorough and deliberate process that explored the many benefits and challenges a merger would entail. With the MOU due to expire this month, the leadership of both institutions decided it is in the best interests of both BCM and Rice University to strengthen the existing relationship without a formal merger.</p>
<p>The months of discussion have provided a great deal of information that we will use to build on existing joint programs, such as in neuroscience and global health initiatives, and to create new ones that will best serve both institutions. A report prepared by a joint committee of faculty members from each institution identified many possibilities for collaboration that will be considered in the coming months.</p>
<p>We want to thank our administrative and faculty teams for their hard and creative work over the past year. Our respect for each other increased daily as we grew to know each other and each other's work better. We learned that we share similar missions and a commitment to the highest standards of education, research and community service. So, while we are bringing the merger discussions to a close, we are opening a new chapter of collaboration that will advance the field of biomedicine and improve human health.</p>
<p>David W. Leebron William T. Butler
President Interim President<br>
Rice University Baylor College of Medicine</p>
<p>Interesting news. Thanks for passing it along. I’ve had mixed feelings about the merger possibility. It always seemed to me that Baylor had more to gain from it than Rice did, because of Rice’s endowment (though, like all endowments, it’s smaller than it was a couple of years ago). I suppose there’s some prestige involved in having a medical school, but prestige isn’t of direct benefit to students. Rice students already have significant opportunities at the medical center. I’m sure there are reasons to be disappointed that this didn’t go through, or hasn’t for now, but personally I’m glad to know it won’t be there as a possible distraction for the administration.</p>
<p>Phew@!!! dodged that bullet! Now, if Rice would just go D3 and drop the D1 football team - much money would be saved, and the university would be on even better footing. Don’t know why they decided to keep D1 after the report came out in 2003 or 04…</p>
<p>stubborn moron ex football player on the board of directors</p>
<p>^^ Why don’t you guys like being in D1, I am mad that Emory is D3 and without a football team, it makes the weekends around here extremely boring.</p>
<p>I like being in D1. Being in D3 wouldn’t save us all that much money, and we would lose the exposure that comes from being competitive nationally in baseball and other sports, or even the exposure that comes from our football team being televised nationally in a bowl game. True, our football team is rarely competitive for even the conference championship, but we have other sports that are very competitive on the D1 level, like volleyball, track, and especially baseball.</p>
<p>We would also lose the appeal of being a relatively small, academic school that has a D1 athletic program. It’s definitely something that makes us stand out.</p>
<p>Rice’s DI status definitely appealed to DS. That’s the reason he first considered Rice, then he found out all the other good stuff about it! He’s a distance runner. He may not get accepted, but it’s worth a shot.</p>
<p>I believe the school could be in the lower “Football Championship Subdivision” of D1 and keep its status in other D1 sports, but it probably wouldn’t make any significant difference with respect to the cost of the program, and it begs the question of conference affiliation. I don’t believe Rice would be allowed to drop football to D2 or D3 status. (I admit I’m no expert, but that’s my understanding.)</p>
<p>I believe Rice is the smallest BCS division D1 team (by enrollment) and that and the school’s academic requirements are the structural impediments to having a regularly competitive football team. And Rice’s academic peers that have BCS level football programs – Stanford, Northwestern and Duke – all have thousands more students enrolled.</p>
<p>I agree with NYSkins1, Rice is known as being that small, selective academic school with D1 sports as well. If it were D3 I probably wouldn’t apply when I’m a senior. The athletic atmosphere is important to me and D3 isn’t the same as D1. Oh and good point MilwDad.</p>