Monday, February 15, 2010
Future of BCM
Thursday, January 14, 2010
It's Over!
To: The Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine communities
From: Presidents David Leebron and William Butler
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.
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.
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.
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.
David W. Leebron William T. Butler
President Interim President
Rice University Baylor College of Medicine
Friday, December 11, 2009
Faculty Plenary Meeting, Dec. 10, 2009
From: Duane Windsor
To: SEN-FAC@rice.edu
Subject: Senate notice (faculty plenary meeting; faculty survey; information links)
Dear Faculty Colleagues,
A petitioned special plenary meeting of the faculty is now scheduled for December 10 (3-5 pm) in McMurtry Auditorium (Duncan Hall). Information concerning order of business will be sent out as soon as finalized.
Various non-confidential documents or links concerning the potential merger can be found at three websites:
http://www.cs.rice.edu/~vardi/rice/ [you must be on campus to access]
http://staff.rice.edu/staff/RiceBaylor_Home.asp
http://preparingfuturefacultyatrice.blogspot.com/2009/10/links-on-proposed-ricebaylor-merger.html
Duane Windsor
Speaker, Faculty Senate
Friday, October 23, 2009
A Public Lecture on October 26, 2009
The Whole May Be Less than the Sum of the Parts:
A Personal Perspective on the Rice-BCM Merger
Moshe Y. Vardi
Rice University
McMurtry Auditorium, Duncan Hall, Rice University
October 26, 2009, 4-5:30pm
Map: www.rice.edu/maps
Parking: http://parking.rice.edu/visitors.cfm
Overflow room: Duncan Hall 1064
Webcast: http://webcast.rice.edu/webcast.php?action=details&event=2048
Abstract: Rice University has been engaged since August 2008 in intense negotiations with Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) over a possible merger, motivated by the argument that such a merger "could produce many academic and scientific benefits" for both institutions. A Sept. 25, 2009, joint press release said that "We will work hard to bring our discussions to a successful conclusion over the next four months." In this talk, the speaker will offer his own analysis of the merger proposal, based on publicly available information.
Bio: Vardi is the George Professor in Computational Engineering and Director of the Ken Kennedy Institute for Information Technology Institute at Rice University. He is the co-recipient of three IBM Outstanding Innovation Awards, the ACM SIGACT Goedel Prize, the ACM Kanellakis Award, the ACM SIGMOD Codd Award, and the Blaise Pascal Medal. He is the author and co-author of over 350 technical papers, as well as two books: "Reasoning about Knowledge" and "Finite Model Theory and Its Applications". He is a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery, the American Association for Artificial Intelligence, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers. He is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering, the European Academy of Science, and Academia Europaea. He holds honorary doctorates from the Saarland University in Germany and Orleans University in France.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Faculty Meeting on August 28, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
A Special Faculty Meeting
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Rice is contemplating a merger with Baylor College of Medicine, in what may be the most important decision in our institution's history.
When the Faculty Senate was formed, a provision was made for the full faculty to meet whenever events warrant it, upon the collection of 50 faculty signatures. In that spirit, we call for a meeting of the full faculty to discuss this merger and to air both our aspirations and our concerns.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The MOU
March 26, 2009
To the faculties, staffs and students of Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine:
We are pleased to announce that the governing boards of Rice and BCM this week approved the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that lays out a broad framework for formal negotiations about a possible merger of our two institutions.
While no decision on a merger has yet been made and many issues remain to be resolved, our boards have concluded that a closer affiliation has abundant potential benefits for both institutions, as well as for our home city of Houston. Months of informal discussions have confirmed that the missions and aspirations of our two institutions are in fact closely aligned, that both institutions would benefit in many ways from a merger and that, together, Rice and BCM could be one of the world's leading research universities.
The MOU framework will allow us to systematically and thoroughly move ahead with the next stage of discussions. Over the next few months, we will seek to address issues and concerns that have surfaced from those discussions, and we will continue to solicit input from members of our respective communities. The success of a merger, or any closer affiliation, will also depend significantly on how effectively we plan for and manage its implementation.
Baylor College of Medicine and Rice University are institutions of distinction that bring great achievements and greater potential to such a merger. Each is known throughout the world for contributions to important areas of human knowledge and service. Both are entering this conversation closely attentive to the importance of sustaining that which is great, inspired by the possibilities of expanded distinction and contribution, respectful of our values and traditions, and committed to our responsibilities to Houston and the broader society.
Thank you for the suggestions and insights that have helped shape our discussions so far. We continue to welcome your ideas going forward.
David W. Leebron William T. Butler, M.D.
President Interim President
Rice University Baylor College of Medicine