# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S460 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 460 FLOOR COMMITTEE REPORTS AND OVERTURES ASSIGNMENTS 7. University Education REPORTS R1, R1.1, R1.2, R2, R2.2, R11, R16, R16.1–8, R62, R66 OVERTURES Ov. 7-01 To Amend Bylaws Related to Structure and Governance of the Concordia University System WHEREAS, The 2013 5-01A Task Force began a comprehensive study of matters related to Concordia University System (CUS) structure, governance, connection to the Synod, and Lutheran Identity; and WHEREAS, The work of the 2013 5-01A Task Force resulted in the adoption by the CUS Board of Directors, the institution presidents, and the boards of regents of the CUS institutions all adopting a Lutheran Identity Statement; and WHEREAS, The 2016 convention of the Synod affirmed the Lutheran Identity Statement; and WHEREAS, The CUS institutions have begun reporting on their compliance with the Lutheran Identity Statement demonstrating their fidelity to the Church; and WHEREAS, The 2016 convention of the Synod adopted several bylaw revisions which have further strengthened the connection between the CUS institutions and the Synod; and WHEREAS, The 2016 convention of the Synod established the Resolution 7-02B Task Force to continue the work of the 2013 501A Task Force; and WHEREAS, The 7-02B Task Force has continued to study matters of CUS structure and governance; and WHEREAS, During the past triennium, the CUS presidents, the president of CUS, and the CUS board have discussed greater collaboration; and WHEREAS, The CUS presidents have formalized their role as the CUS Advisory Council; and WHEREAS, The CUS Advisory Council continues to discuss matters of structure and governance and is committed to proposing a new plan for governance to the 2022 convention of the Synod as outlined in 7-02B Task Force Overture 2; and WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) has developed a partnership with the CUS and the CUS Advisory Council to underwrite the ongoing work of the CUS Advisory Council in order to strengthen the CUS and its institutions; and WHEREAS, The work of the CUS Advisory Council is bearing fruit related to matters of CUS structure and governance, which require further planning, discussion, and the development of bylaw revisions that allow for implementation of the plan upon its completion and approval; and WHEREAS, The 2016 Res. 7-02B Task Force believes that the ongoing work of the CUS Advisory Council will result in the formulation of much stronger and effective bylaws for the CUS and its institutions that ensure fidelity to the Church and the agility necessary to ensure institutional financial stability; and 2019 Convention Workbook WHEREAS, The 2016 Res. 7-02B Task Force has identified several bylaw changes that are necessary in order to resolve current structural and governance challenges in advance of the CUS Advisory Council recommendations; therefore be it Resolved, That the 2016 Res. 7-02B Task Force recommends that minimal changes be made to the present bylaws related to structure and governance of the CUS and its institutions; and be it further Resolved, That the bylaws of the Synod be amended as follows: PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING Concordia University System 3.6.6 Concordia University System, as a corporation under the laws of the State of Missouri, is operated by its members and board of directors in accordance with its Articles of Incorporation and corporate Bylaws to further the objectives of higher education within the Synod. Any amendments to these Articles of Incorporation shall be subject to approval by the members. 3.6.6.1 The Board of Directors of the Concordia University System has authority with respect to the Synod’s colleges and universities. It shall have the overall responsibility to provide for the education of pre-seminary students, ministers of religion– commissioned, other professional church workers of the Synod, and others desiring a Christian liberal arts education by facilitating prior approval as set forth in Bylaw 3.10.6.7.3 for theology appointments to college/university faculties and by coordinating the activities of the Synod’s colleges and universities as a unified system of the Synod through their respective boards of regents. 3.6.6.2 The members of Concordia University System shall consist of the Synod and the colleges and universities of the Synod. The Board of Directors of the Synod and the Council of Presidents of the Synod each shall elect appoint delegates representing the Synod. The boards of regents of the colleges and universities of the Synod shall elect appoint delegates representing the colleges and universities. The numbers of delegates elected appointed by the Board of Directors of the Synod, the Council of Presidents, and the boards of regents shall be established by the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Concordia University System. 3.6.6.3 The Board of Directors of Concordia University System shall be composed of nine voting members and four nonvoting members (no more than two members elected by the Synod shall be from the same district, and no executive, faculty member, or staff member from a Lutheran institution of higher education may serve on the Board of Directors of Concordia University System as a voting member): Voting Members: 1. Two ministers of religion–ordained elected by the Synod 2. One minister of religion–commissioned elected by the Synod 3. Two laypersons elected by the Synod 4. Three laypersons appointed by the delegates of the members of Concordia University System 5. The President of the Synod or his representative Nonvoting Advisory Members: 1. A district president appointed by the Council of Presidents 2. The Chief Financial Officer of the Synod 3. The Chief Mission Officer or his/her representative 4. One university president appointed by the CUS Advisory Council Persons elected or appointed to the Concordia University System Board of Directors should have demonstrated familiarity and support of the institutions, and shall support the doctrinal positions of the Synod, and shall possess two or more of the following qualifications: theological acumen, an advanced degree, experience in higher