# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S146 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 146 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS (b) The consolidated college or university shall, upon approval of the Commission for University Education and Board of Directors of the Synod, be regarded as an affiliated college or university. 3.10.6.7 A college or university’s (“institution’s”) affiliation with the Synod may, as follows, be terminated either by such institution’s board of regents or by the Synod, rendering the institution no longer affiliated with the Synod and terminating all the institution’s rights and obligations under these bylaws, including all requirements related to its governing documents and board of regents, except that all provisions imposing obligations on a disaffiliating university shall survive. (a) The board of regents may, subject to the following process and by a three-fourths vote, terminate the institution’s affiliation with the Synod. (1) The board of regents shall, by the vote required for disaffiliation, initiate a period of mutual evaluation with the Commission for University Education and the Board of Directors of the Synod. (2) The board of regents shall supply the Commission and Board of Directors with a detailed disaffiliation plan indicating reasons for the proposed disaffiliation, proposed disposition of university assets previously devoted to the fulfilment of Synod’s objectives and handling of rostered workers employed by the university and of church work programs and their students, as well as any additional aspects requested by the Commission and/or Board of Directors. (3) Delivery of the detailed disaffiliation plan shall initiate the period of mutual evaluation, to last at least six months, during which the board of regents shall at least twice meet jointly with delegations of the Commission and of Board of Directors to discuss the proposed disaffiliation. (4) In consultation with the Commission, the Board of Directors shall be empowered to negotiate terms of disaffiliation with the board of regents, which may include a monetary payment to the Synod approved by the board of regents, in view of the Synod’s historical contribution to and ongoing interest in the affiliated school, to the Synod to be used in the ongoing pursuit of its educational objectives. (5) Only upon conclusion of the above and with the approval, by the Board of Directors of the Synod and effected by its two-thirds affirmative vote, of the final disaffiliation plan, may the board of regents vote to execute the final, approved disaffiliation plan. (b) The Commission for University Education, upon its written report and finding that an institution is in breach of the Synod’s requirements for affiliation and upon its determination that all negotiations and admonitions to repair the breach have failed, or upon the withdrawal of accreditation of such college or university under Bylaw 3.9.6.4.2 (c), may by a two-thirds vote recommend to the Board of Directors or Convention of the Synod that the affiliation of the institution with the Synod be revoked. (1) Upon such recommendation and with six months’ notice given to the respective board of regents, either the convention of the Synod by a majority vote or the Board of Directors of the Synod by a two-thirds vote may terminate the school’s affiliation with, and any related accreditation by, the Synod. 2023 Convention Workbook (c) Upon any disaffiliation, the institution shall take all measures required under the disaffiliation agreement described in Bylaw 3.10.6.4.2. And be it further Resolved, That Bylaw 1.10.2, dealing with the dispute resolution process of the Synod, be amended as follows to provide access to dispute resolution for colleges and universities affiliated with the Synod: PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING Purpose 1.10.2 This procedure is established to resolve, in a Godpleasing manner, disputes that involve as parties, (1) members of the Synod; (2) corporate Synod or an agency of the Synod; (3) affiliated colleges and universities; (34) members of congregations challenging the procedure used in their excommunications; (45) auxiliaries and recognized service organizations that have agreed to address call-related disputes through the dispute resolution system, in regard to such disputes; or (56) members of congregations of the Synod elected or appointed to positions with the LCMS Board of Directors or an agency of the Synod. It shall be the exclusive remedy to resolve such disputes that involve theological, doctrinal, or ecclesiastical issues except those covered under Bylaw sections 2.14–2.17 and except as provided in Bylaw 1.10.3, and shall be binding on all parties. It is applicable whether the dispute involves only a difference of opinion without personal animosity or is one that involves ill will and sin that requires repentance and forgiveness. No person, congregation, or agency, or affiliate to whom or to which the provisions of this dispute resolution process are applicable because of their membership in or affiliation with the Synod may render this procedure inapplicable by terminating that membership or affiliation during the course of the dispute resolution process. And be it further Resolved, That Bylaws 1.5.1.1–3; 1.5.7–1.5.7.1; 1.6.2 (b)(1–2); 1.9.1; 1.9.1.1 (d); 2.11.1 (g); 3.1.4; 3.1.4.2 and its subparagraph (a); 3.1.6.2; 3.3.1.1.1 and its subparagraph (c); and 3.10.5.7.2 (d)(1) be amended as follows: PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 1.5.1.1 Unless otherwise specified or permitted by the Bylaws, chief executives and executive directors, faculty, staff, and all other employees on either the national or district level shall not be members of the board of the agency or affiliated college or university under which they serve, nor shall any such executives or staff be members of the board of any other agency of the Synod or of an affiliated college or university. For purposes of this bylaw only, staff shall mean: (a) Employees, other than faculty, rostered as ministers of religion—ordained or ministers of religion—commissioned, whether or not serving in such capacity; or (b) Employees of corporate Synod or, of an agency of Synod, or of an affiliated college or university, other than faculty, who are responsible for the development and/or implementation of policies, goals, and programs; or (c) Employees of corporate Synod or, of an agency of the Synod, or of an affiliated college or university who assist chief executives, executive directors and faculty in their work and are supervised by these individuals directly or through a line of supervision.