# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S132
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

132 RESOLUTIONS

Resolved, That in preparing this appeal the Board of
Control consult with the Special Task Force on Accredi-
tation or its representatives and with the President of
the Synod.

Action: None. Referred under omnibus Res. 4-47 to
the Board of Directors.

To Pursue Concerns with AATS
RESOLUTION 3-05

Report 3-01, D; Overtures 3-82, 3-88, 3-90
(CW, pp.107—111, 140—141)

Wuereas, The Special Task Force on Accreditation
has called attention to a number of unusual procedures
of the American Association of Theological Schools with
regard to Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, e. g.,

1. Failing to share the report of the visiting team
with the Board of Control of the institution in-
volved or with its executive officer;

2. Publicizing reports of probation proceedings
through news releases to the public press;

3. Censuring an agency involved, such as the Board
for Higher Education, without interviewing any
members of its staff or the board and without con-
sulting in any way with it;

4. Giving an institution that has been placed on pro-
bation only 2 years in which to correct what the
AATS believes to be inadequacies, at the end of
which time the AATS constitution requires that
probation must be lifted or accreditation removed;

5. Taking an action which goes beyond the recom-
mendation of the on-site visiting team; therefore
be it

Resolved, That the Boards of Control of Concordia
Seminary, St. Louis, and of Concordia Theological Sem-
inary, Springfield, be instructed to pursue these con-
cerns of the Synod with the commissions, boards, and
members of the AATS.

Action: None. Referred under omnibus Res. 4-47 to
the Board of Directors.

To Seek Additional Accreditation
RESOLUTION 3-06
Overture 3-92 (CW, p. 141)

Wuereas, Some 60 theological seminaries and schools
of theology have been granted accreditation by a re-
gional accrediting agency, either in addition to accredi-
tation by the American Association of Theological
Schools or in place of AATS accreditation; and

Wuereas, There are marked advantages to affiliation
with a larger and more experienced accrediting agency
such as the North Central Association of Colleges and
Secondary Schools; and

Wuereas, Continued accreditation by the AATS is
also important for the Synod’s seminaries; therefore
be it

Resolved, That in addition to accreditation by the
AATS, the Boards of Control of Concordia Seminary,
Saint Louis, and of Concordia Theological Seminary,
Springfield, be directed to seek accreditation by North
Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools
as soon as this is feasible; and be it further

Resolved, That Overture 3-92 be respectfully de-
clined.

Action: None. Referred under omnibus Res. 4-47 to
the Board of Directors.

To Express Confidence
in the Board for Higher Education

RESOLUTION 3-07
Overtures 3-95A and 3-95B (CW, p. 142)

Wuereas, The role assigned by Handbook Section VI
to the Board for Higher Education in coordinating and
supervising the Synod’s system of colleges and semi-
naries is in keeping with modern trends in higher edu-
cation as pointed out in Overtures 3-95A and 3-95B;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod reject the criticisms of its
policy in assigning particular authority and responsibili-
ties to the Board for Higher Education, implied by the
action of the American Association of Theological
Schools in placing Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, on
probation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod go on record as expressing
its confidence in the Board for Higher Education, and
commend the board for its actions in carrying out the
responsibilities assigned to it by the Synod; and be it
finally

Resolved, That the Synod continue to support the
concepts outlined in Section 6 of the synodical Hand-
book in providing coordination of its system of colleges
and seminaries through the Board for Higher Education.

Action: None. Referred under omnibus Res. 4-47 to
the Board of Directors.

To Clarify Questions of Suspension
RESOLUTION 3-08
Report 3-01, D (CW, p. 110)

Wuereas, The Special Task Force on Accreditation
has recommended that a committee or commission be
asked to study Handbook regulations regarding the
meaning of suspension, suspension procedures, and the
rights of individuals under suspension; therefore be it

Resolved, That the President of the Synod, after con-
sultation with the Commission on Constitutional Mat-
ters, refer these matters to that committee or commis-
sion of the Synod which he deems appropriate, or estab-
lish a special ad hoc committee to study these matters;
and be it further

Resolved, That this committee or commission be