HOUSTON—Officials at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine, one of only nine stand-alone medical schools in the United States, are discussing a possible merger.

It would enhance the reputation of Rice, a top private university, and bring Baylor the security of a university affiliation, which is often necessary to keep medical schools afloat financially, the Houston Chronicle reported Tuesday for its online edition.

Baylor has been a free-standing medical school since cutting ties with Baylor University in 1969.

“Rice and Baylor have a long history of valuable collaborations and are exploring the possibility of a closer affiliation,” the schools said in a joint statement.

“Preliminary talks are under way.”

The statement said the schools would provide no further details at this time.

Baylor’s ability to balance its budget while building a hospital during the economic downturn brought the merger talks to light.

In November, Rice President David Leebron is scheduled to make presentations to faculty in Rice’s different schools. He has begun meeting with key faculty to gauge their interest.