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Baylor College of Medicine - Rice University Merger records

 Collection
Identifier: UA 0253
Finding aid note: Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586.

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of materials created between October 2008 and January 2010 that relate to consideration primarily at Rice of a possible merger of Rice and Baylor College of Medicine. There is a detailed preliminary study summarizing the assets of the institutions. Also included are a calendar of intended meetings and a collection of news clippings covering the entire period of discussions. A correspondence folder includes primarily messages generated by parties at Rice. There are descriptions of past and possible future collaborative activity between Rice and B.C.M., as well as records of Rice Faculty Senate activity related to the possible merger.

Dates

  • 2008 - 2010

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This material is restricted and requires permission from the Office of the President for access.

Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586.

Conditions Governing Use

If access were to be permitted, permission to publish material from the Baylor College of Medicine – Rice University Merger Records must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library.

Biographical / Historical

In October 2008 Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine announced in a joint statement that they were “exploring the possibility of a closer affiliation” and that “preliminary talks” were underway. It was thought that such a merger would bring Rice reputational enhancement and greater strength in drawing biomedical research funds, and that B.C.M., one of only nine stand-alone medical schools, would gain the security of a university affiliation. There had been previous considerations of such a merger, but they had not reached a serious stage, mostly because of resistance on Rice’s part. In 2008, however, the president of Rice, David Leebron, was notably receptive to the idea and began scheduling meetings with key faculty to gauge their interest.

The difference in size of the endowments of the two institutions emerged as a basis of controversy early in the conversation period. As of June 30, 2008, Rice’s endowment was $4.6 billion, and as of September 30, 2008, that of B.C.M. was $954 million. There was concern at Rice that financial needs of B.C.M. would weaken the university’s endowment.

In March 2009, the governing boards of the two institutions took the step of signing a memorandum of understanding, typically considered the first stage in the formation of a formal contract. A complicating issue continued to be the involvement of B.C.M. in construction of a hospital, which had begun in 2007.

Uncertainties at Rice about the overall wisdom of the merger led to a convening of Rice faculty in April to discuss the proposal. The outcome was creation of a faculty committee chaired by a professor to prepare a report on the potential benefits, costs, and risks of the proposed merger. By November of 2009, the work of this 15-member Faculty Merger Review Committee, combined with discussions with the board of trustees and other representatives of Rice’s schools and departments, led to development of a set of preconditions for any merger. They included a strong private adult hospital partnership for B.C.M. and significant philanthropic resources. It was also required that B.C.M. be on a path to eliminating its operating deficit, since use of Rice’s resources to subsidize future B.C.M. deficits was not to be allowed.

When the Rice Faculty Senate met in November to vote on the merger, the outcome was a resolution opposing the merger which had 59 votes for it and 61 against. If four administrators had not exercised their right to vote, the faculty conclusion would have been in opposition to the merger.

January 31, 2010 was the date set for expiration of the memorandum of understanding signed in March 2009. In mid-January a joint statement by the presidents of Rice and B.C.M. announced that discussions of a merger of the two institutions had been terminated. No reasons were given in the statement. It said, “With the MOU due to expire this month, the leadership of both institutions decided it is in the best interests of both B.C.M. and Rice University to strengthen the existing relationship without a formal merger.”

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

The collection consists of materials created between October 2008 and January 2010 concerning a possible merger between Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine. There are a preliminary technical report, news clippings, correspondence, meeting records of the Rice Faculty Senate, and descriptions of past and possible future collaborative activity between Rice and B.C.M.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Transferred to the archives via University Historian Melissa Kean.

Subjects

Record Groups

Related Names

Creator

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Baylor College of Medicine - Rice University Merger records, 2008-2010
Status
Completed
Author
Mary Tobin
Date
2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository

https://library.rice.edu/woodson
Contact:
Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston Texas 77005 USA

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Harmful Content Statement
© 2023 Woodson Research Center
Fondren Library, Rice University
Physical Address: 6100 Main, Houston, Texas 77005-1827
Mailing Address: MS-44, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251-1892