# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1977_S177
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

RESOLUTIONS 177

WHEREAS, It should be possible to protect the interest
of the Synod as well as provide for the welfare of the
faculty member involved by giving such notice a year in
advance of the expiration of the individual’s contract in
cases in which he is nearing the end of his probationary
period; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Bylaws of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod be revised as follows:

PRESENT WORDING

6.53 Appointment of Members of the Faculty

e. The Board of Control may decline to renew the
appointment of a faculty member without tenure at
its discretion and without formal statement of cause.
If reappointment to the teaching staff is not
contemplated, the Board of Control shall so notify
the faculty member through the president of the
institution at least 6 months prior to the expiration of
the current appointment.

6.54 Permanent Tenure

b. If a faculty member has completed 5 years of
creditable service (periods of leave are not included)
as a member of the faculty of one or more educational
institutions of the Synod of collegiate or seminary
level, at least the last 2 years of which shall have
been in the institution he is currently serving, and
has not been granted permanent tenure, the presi-
dent is obligated to take up the question of perma-
nent tenure with the Board of Control. The Board of
Control shall either carry forward the procedure for
granting permanet tenure or inform the faculty
member of its decision not to grant tenure and thus
terminate his contract at least 6 months before the
expiration of the 6th year of service. If the Board of
Control does not take up the question of permanent
tenure at least 9 months prior to the end of the 6th
year of service, the faculty member shall petition the
Board of Control to take up the question of perma-
nent tenure. Tenure may be granted only by direct
action of the Board of Control.

PROPOSED WORDING

6.53 Appointment of Members of the Faculty

e. The Board of Control may decline to renew the
appointment of a faculty member without tenure at
its discretion and without formal statement of cause.
If reappointment to the teaching staff is not
contemplated, the Board of Control shall so notify
the faculty member through the president of the
institution at least 6 months prior to the expiration of
the current appointment. In the case of individuals
under consideration for permanent tenure (6.54 b)
such notice of nonreappointment shall be made at
least 12 months before the expiration of the current
appointment.

6.54 Permanent Tenure

b. If a faculty member has completed 5 years of
creditable service (periods of leave are not included)
as a member of the faculty of one or more
educational institutions of the Synod of collegiate or
seminary level, at least the last 2 years of which
shall have been in the institution he is currently
serving, and has not been granted permanent tenure,
the president is obligated to take up the question of
permanent tenure with the Board of Control. The
Board of Control shall either carry forward the
procedure for granting permanent tenure or inform
the faculty member of its decision not to grant tenure
and thus terminate his contract. In cases in which
the decision is made to terminate the individual’s
contract, the contract shall be extended for one year
beyond the time at which notice is given. If the Board
of Control does not take up the question of perma-
nent tenure at least 9 months prior to the end of the
sixth year of service, the faculty member shall
petition the Board of Control to take up the question
of permanent tenure. Tenure may be granted only by
direct action of the Board of Control.

Action: Adopted (16).

TT

To Remove Overlap and Ambiguities
of Section VI of Handbook

RESOLUTION 6-16
Overture 6-103 (CW, p. 261)

WHEREAS, There is considerable overlap and am-
biguity in the responsibilities assigned to the Board for
Higher Education, the Board of Control, and the
faculties of synodical institutions in Section VI of the
Handbook, particularly Bylaws 6.03, 6.05, 6.37, 6.39,
6.61, and 6.63; and

WHEREAS, Such overlap of responsibilities and
ambiguities has sometimes created difficulties; and

WHEREAS, The Task Force on Constitution, Bylaws,
and Structure is already at work; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Task Force on Constitution,
Bylaws, and Structure be directed to study carefully

Section VI of the Handbook to remove undesirable
overlap of responsibilities and ambiguities; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Task Force be directed to consult
with knowledgeable individuals, so that proposed
changes do not jeopardize the accreditation of the
synodical institutions.

Action: Adopted (16).

To Explore Sources of Funding
for Training Future Faculty Members

RESOLUTION 6-17
Overture 6-28 (CW, pp. 240—241)

WHEREAS, A church body which expects to meet the
challenging opportunities for greater service in the