# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2007_S220 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 220 SEMINARY AND UNIVERSITY EDUCATION 5-21 To Retain Present Numerical Strength for Seminary Boards WHEREAS, Proposals have been suggested to enlarge the boards of regents of our seminaries from 9 to 13 members; and WHEREAS, It has been proposed that the additional members be either appointed by the boards of regents or elected locally; and WHEREAS, The reason given for adding such members is to ob- tain expertise in finance, law, investments, human resources, local and regional markets, facilities, fund development, administration of complex organizations, and higher education administration; and WHEREAS, Expertise and advice may be readily provided on a casual and incidental basis pro bono by faithful and dedicated members of the LCMS; and WHEREAS, The seminaries may and do appoint such advisory councils and committees as may be needed for the above and other functions; and WHEREAS, “The worker deserves his wages,” (Luke 10:7); nor- mal and ordinary professional advice should not be sought without due compensation for the same; and WHEREAS, Such additions may cause erosion of Synod control and oversight of the seminaries and adversely affect teachings and doctrine; and WHEREAS, History teaches us that such loss of control and over- sight has led to secularization of the teaching at religious institu- tions of higher learning; and WHEREAS, There is no proven correlation between the number of board members and competence; and WHEREAS, Such additions may lead to abuse, e.g., large donor board members may attempt to influence program, curriculum, and teaching (doctrine); and WHEREAS, Regular election of members of boards of regents mitigates against opportunities and temptations for abuse; therefore be it . Resolved, That the boards of regents of the Synod’s seminaries be retained at their present numerical strength of nine members; and be it further Resolved, That election of said boards of regents continue as provided for in the 2004 Synod Handbook. Concordia Toledo, OH 5-22 To Expand College and University Boards of Regents WHEREAS, The colleges and universities 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 complex educational environment; and WHEREAS, The local campus leaders and boards of regents must exercise a higher level of governance and leadership in response to the needs and opportunities presented by campus constituencies while remaining faithful to the mission and needs of the LCMS; and . WHEREAS, Effective boards of regents include members with a specific set of skills, including knowledge in the areas of finance, law, investments, human resources, facilities, local and regional markets, fund development, administration of complex organiza- tions, and higher education administration; and WHEREAS, CUS colleges/universities on the average have more than 1,000 students, and faculty/staff personnel in excess of 200, resulting in legal and human resource management issues; and Wuereas, CUS colleges/universities manage operational bud- gets from $10 million to $55 million, requiring strategic decision making to maintain fiscal viability; and WHEREAS, CUS colleges/universities insure facilities in excess of $1.5 billion, some of which is financed through state and local bond issues requiring management, maintenance, financing, and scheduling of multiple facilities to minimize capital debt; and WHEREAS, CUS colleges/universities are subject to increasing oversight from federal and state government and regional accredit- ing agencies; and WHEREAS, There must be sufficient boards of regents members with commitment to the mission and purpose of the respective in- stitution, knowledge regarding the region in which institution is lo- cated, commitment to allocating time, talent, and treasure to the in- Stitution and assisting with the identification and encouragement of. donors; and WHerEas, The BUE/CUS Board encourages adoption of the following changes so that the governance structure of the CUS col- leges/universities can serve the Synod’s mission and ministry more effectively; therefore be it Resolved, That Synod Bylaw 3.8.3.6.2 be amended to read as follows: PRESENT PROPOSED WORDING The board of regents of each college and university shall consist of +3 no more than 17 voting members, with lay mem- i iding knowledge include but i limited 1. One ordained minister, one commissioned minister, and ¢hree two laypersons shall be elected by the conventions of the Synod. 2. One ordained minister, one commissioned minister, and ene Jeypersen shall be elected by the geographical district in which the institution is located. 3. Fewr No less than four and no more than eight laypersons shall be appointed as voting members by the board of regents in a nonconvention year. 4. The president of the district in which the college or univer- sity is located or a district vice-president as his standing repre- sentative shall serve as an ex officio voting member. 5. College and university boards of regents members may be elected or appointed to serve a maximum of three consecutive three-year terms and must hold membership in a member con- gregation of the Synod. 6. Not more than two of the elected members shall be members of the same congregation. Board of Regents, Concordia University Seward, NE; Board of Regents, Concordia University Wisconsin; Gloria Dei, Houston, TX; Board for University Education/ Concordia University System; Board of Directors, Texas District §-23 To Amend Bylaw 3.8.3.7.2 re Election of College/University Presidents Rationale The process for electing the president of a college or university is designed to provide significant Synod involvement in the selec- tion process. However, when the process is too lengthy the institu- tion suffers. It is extremely difficult to sustain the institution's momentum and sustain a high level of engagement with the insti- tution’s supporters between presidents. The following revision per- mits an election less than thirty days after the candidate list has been published. The proposed revision also provides some addi- tional clarity by reorganizing parts of the bylaw and by using the terms “qualification committee” and “screening committee” for “search committee” in its two phases. Therefore be it Resolved, That Bylaw 3.8.3.7.2 be amended as follows: PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING