<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>