# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S364
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

364

UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

Whereas, It is appropriate that the Synod in convention support
the faithful witness of the CUS institutions by adopting the Lutheran
Identity Standards prepared by the institution presidents; therefore
be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention adopt the Lutheran
Identity Standards set forth above; and be it further
Resolved, That as contemplated by the standards, each institution
will submit an annual assessment of its institutional commitment to
Lutheran identity by submitting a written report to the CUS Board
of Directors describing, with evidence, how the institution meets the
ten Lutheran identity standards, on or prior to December 1 of each
year beginning December 1, 2016, which report shall be submitted
by each respective board of regents and shared with the respective
campus community. Additionally, the CUS board shall use this information to report to the Synod in convention the progress made toward
achieving the goals of the statement.
Board of Regents
Concordia University Chicago
7-02

To Encourage Continued Faithful Witness
by Concordia University System
Whereas, The Synod declared in 2013 that the “biblical position as expressed and affirmed by the Synod on key issues such as
creation and evolution, sanctity of life, and human sexuality and marriage is under assault by the world, and there is particular pressure for
students and institutions [of higher education] to conform to a sinful
world-view” (2013 Res. 5-01A); and
Whereas, Still more serious is the pressure to be scandalized by
the particularity of our Lord Jesus Christ and His unique redeeming work and the biblical teaching that “there is none other name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts
4:12); and
Whereas, In the United States none of these pressures have
abated since the Synod’s last convention, but at least in part have
grown stronger; and
Whereas, Those who do not row against a prevailing current will
find themselves swept downstream with it; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Carrollton Circuit Forum urge the Synod to
state in the strongest terms its expectation that all of its colleges and
universities vigorously champion and proclaim these and other currently controverted aspects of biblical and Lutheran identity in as
many ways as possible.
Carrollton Circuit Forum
Missouri District
7-03

To Retain Current Structure of Boards of Regents
of Concordia University System
Whereas, The universities and colleges of our Synod continue
to be blessed by God and are growing in their enrollment of students
and faculty; and
Whereas, The universities and colleges of our Synod which are
located throughout our Synod can best understand the unique opportunities and challenges that they face in their locations; and
2016 Convention Workbook

Whereas, The 2007 Synod convention carefully considered the
composition of the boards of regents of its colleges and universities
and adopted their current composition (Res. 5-04); and
Whereas, The qualifications for serving on boards of regents
are spelled out carefully in the Bylaws of the Synod (3.10.5.2); and
Whereas, All members of boards of regents are to be members
of congregations of the LCMS; and
Whereas, The maximum number of members of a board of
regents is 17, with many of those members to be elected by the district and Synod conventions (4 elected by national conventions, 4
elected by district conventions, plus the president of the district in
which the institution resides); and
Whereas, The district president serving as a voting member of
the board of regents is charged to represent the Synod in his district
(Bylaw 4.4.2); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Texas District in convention give thanks for
the service of those who are serving the church on the various boards
of regents of our colleges and universities, especially Concordia
University Texas; and be it further
Resolved, That the Texas District memorialize the 2016 LCMS
convention to give thanks for the service of those who are serving the
church on the various boards of regents of our colleges and universities; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Texas District memorialize the 2016 LCMS
convention to retain the current Bylaws governing the election
and responsibilities of the boards of regents of our colleges and
universities.
Texas District
7-04

To Amend Bylaw 3.10.5.5.2 Election Process
for College/University Presidents
Whereas, The election of a president of a Concordia University
System (CUS) institution now happens at a board of regents meeting of the given institution, using the short list approved by the
prior-approval panel (composed of the Synod President, the district
president serving on the institution’s board of regents, and the chair
of the CUS Board of Directors); and
Whereas, Current Bylaw 3.10.5.5.2 (d) (2) provides that the panel
may choose to remove names from the list but only with a two-thirds
majority vote; and
Whereas, When these votes come from the Synod President and
the chair of the CUS board, it removes the process from the local and
regional constituents of each CUS school; and
Whereas, The local and regional constituents of each CUS school
are highly invested in the direction and future of the CUS school and
involved in support and teamwork of the school’s leadership; and
Whereas, The local influence and voice of the students (and their
LCMS families) attending each school is essential; therefore be it
Resolved, That Synod Bylaw 3.10.5.5.2 (d) (2) be amended as
follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
…
(2) The prior-approval panel shall meet to consider the short list submitted by the board of regents. The panel may choose to remove names
from the list, but only with a two-thirds majorityby a unanimous vote.
…

Trinity, Utica, MI; Immanuel, Grand Rapids, MI;