<p>Rice has been exploring merging with the Baylor Medical School for awhile now. They entered into a Memorandum of Understanding a couple of weeks ago. Yesterday, President Leebron issued the following email:</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>
My son has had the best 4 years there and it probably set for life because of it.</p>