# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S223 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) HIGHER EDUCATION 223 ties are facing them as they seek to sustain their service to the Synod in an increasingly difficult educational environment; and Whereas, The local campus leaders must exercise a higher level of governance and leadership in response to the needs and op- portunities presented by campus constituencies while remaining faithful to the mission and needs of The Lutheran Church—Mis- souri Synod; and WHEREAS, A think tank established by the BHE/CUS Board in January 2001 spent 18 months studying the strategic future of LCMS higher education and the BHE/CUS Board endorsed the findings of the think tank (presented in this memorial); and Wuereas, The think tank and the BHE/CUS Board have artic- ulated five key principles that will guide the future of the Concor- dia University System (CUS): (1) The CUS will work to maintain and enhance the Christ-centered and Lutheran character of its in- stitutions; (2) The CUS will provide commissioned ministers for the LCMS; (3) The CUS will work to ensure a strong fiscal future for its institutions; (4) The CUS will establish expectations for the quality of its institutions; (5) The CUS will implement the preced- ing four principles through governance structures that require more clearly focused accountability of its institutions to the systemwide Board while expecting stronger governance of the institutions by their Boards of Regents; and WuerEAs, The structural changes proposed in this memorial place more responsibility upon Boards of Regents to ensure effec- tive institutional operations while requiring Boards of Regents to clearly demonstrate that their institutions are providing quality ed- ucation that is faithful to the doctrine and mission of the LCMS; and WHEREAS, The BHE/CUS Board encourages adoption of the proposed changes so that college and university education can serve the Synod’s mission and ministry needs with a more effective structure; therefore be it Resolved, That there should be a governing board for the Con- cordia University System and a separate governing board for sem- inaries; and be it further ; Resolved, That the CUS Board be composed of the following members: one ordained, elected by the Synod; two commissioned, elected by the Synod; 2 laypersons, elected by the Synod; three LCMS laypersons, selected by the CUS Council of Members; the Synod President or his representative (voting); the Synod Treasurer (advisory); and be it further Resolved, That the CUS Board shall receive evidence from each institution on a regular basis that it is complying with absolute re- quirements in the following areas: Christ-centered and Lutheran, church work programs, quest for quality, and ongoing viability. So long as the CUS Board finds an institution to be in compliance with the absolute requirements, the local Board of Regents shall have the opportunity and responsibility to operate the institution accord- ing to its best judgment; and be it further Resolved, That each institutional Board of Regents is composed of the following members, all of whom are members in good stand- ing of LCMS congregations: one ordained, elected by the Synod; one commissioned, elected by the Synod; one ordained, elected by the District; one commissioned, elected by the District; one layper- son, elected by the Synod; one layperson, elected by the District; the geographical District President (ex officio, voting). Each Board of Regents will normally have 15-25 members, including elected members. Each institution will establish the procedures and processes for selecting the board-appointed members. Current re- gents stay in place through their terms, then each is replaced ac- cording to their Board’s policy; and be it further Resolved, That the slate for institution president is submitted by the Board of Regents (following appropriate consultations with fac- ulty and administration), approved by the president of the Concor- dia University System, approved by the President of Synod, and fi- nally elected by the Board of Regents; and be it finally Resolved, That this resolution be submitted to the 2004 Synod convention. Atlantic District 5-04 To Change Manner of Electing Boards of Regents and Eliminate Concordia University System Board WHEREAS, Board of regents elections at Synod conventions have become increasingly political, evidenced by the election of regents living in areas of the country far removed from the univer- sity’s location; and WHEREAS, Many qualified individuals have been unjustly and unwisely denied the opportunity to serve for this reason; and WHEREAS, Local individuals have better knowledge of the uni- versity near them, its ministry, and its needs; and WuerEAS, Local Districts have better knowledge of their school’s circumstances and those available to serve as regents; and WHEREAS, Each Concordia university has been expected to function with little or no financial support from the Synod for some time now, highlighting each school’s increased independence; and WHEREAS, Elections at Synod conventions should be fewer rather than greater in number; and WHEREAS, It is always an admirable goal to spend less money on Synod administration and more on Gospel outreach; and WHEREAS, Trust and encouragement should characterize our lives together in the Lord, not deception or suspicion; therefore be it Resolved, That Concordia University System boards of regents be required to be members in good standing of the District in which each school is located, or residents of the state in which each school is located; and be it further Resolved, That the elections of regents occur at District, not Synod, conventions, beginning in 2006; and be it further Resolved, That the slates of regents candidates be prepared by the appropriate Districts’ nominating committees; and be it further Resolved, That the Concordia University System Board be elim- inated with gratitude and thanks for its past service; and be it fur- ther Resolved, That all appropriate Synod and District bylaw changes be drafted as soon as possible toward the implementation of this resolution; and be it finally Resolved, That the President of the Synod appoint and empower a committee to determine all necessary changes and implement this resolution. St. John Spokane, WA 5-05 To Restructure Colleges’/Universities’ Boards of Regents WHEREAS, The colleges/universities/seminaries of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod find that new challenges and opportuni- ties are facing them as they seek to sustain their service to the Synod in an increasingly difficult educational environment; and WHEREAS, The local campus leaders must exercise a higher level of governance and leadership in response to the needs and op- portunities presented by campus constituencies while remaining faithful to the mission and needs of The Lutheran Church—Mis- souri Synod; and WHerEAS, A study group established by the BHE/CUS Board in January 2001 spent 18 months studying the strategic future of LCMS colleges and universities, and the BHE/CUS Board incor- porated the findings of the study group into its recommendations, and WHEREAS, The BHE/CUS Board has identified five key princi- ples that will guide the future of the Concordia University System (CUS): (1) The CUS will work to maintain and enhance the Christ- centered and Lutheran character of its institutions; (2) The CUS will provide commissioned ministers for the LCMS; (3) The CUS