# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2013_S149 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) (e) If the board decides that the matter is of such a nature that the interests of the institution will best be served, it may limit the activities of the respondent. It may do so by relieving the respondent of teaching and/or administrative duties pending final resolution of the conflict. However, contractual obligations of the institution shall continue until the matter is resolved. (f) The review committee shall proceed as follows: (1) The committee shall hold its first hearing no later than 60 days after the last committee member has been appointed. (2) The chairman of the committee shall notify the complainant and the respondent, at least 28 days in advance, of the date, time, and place of the said hearing. (3) If any part of the dispute involves a specific question of doctrine or doctrinal application, each party shall have the right to an opinion from the Commission on Theology and Church Relations. If it involves questions of Constitution or Bylaw interpretation, each party shall have a right to an interpretation from the Commission on Constitutional Matters. The request for an opinion must be made through the review committee, which shall determine the wording of the question(s). The request for an opinion must be made within four weeks of the final formation of the review committee. If a party does not request such an opinion within the designated time, such a request may still be made to the review committee, which shall, at its discretion, determine whether the request shall be forwarded. The review committee shall also have the right, at any time, to request an opinion from the Commission on Theology and Church Relations or the Commission on Constitutional Matters. When an opinion has been requested, the time limitations will not apply until the opinion has been received by the parties. Any opinion received must be followed by the review committee. (4) All hearings shall be private, attended only by the parties and the witnesses who can substantiate the facts relevant to the matter in dispute. The review committee shall follow the procedures set forth in the Standard Operating Procedures Manual for this bylaw to be followed in the hearing and shall establish the relevancy of evidence so that each party shall be given an opportunity to present fully its respective position. In performing its duty, the review committee shall continue efforts to reconcile the parties on the basis of Christian love and forgiveness. If a party is a board or commission of the Synod or its districts, it shall be represented by its chairman or a designated member. R e s olu t i on s (5) Within 60 days after completion of the final hearing, the review committee shall issue a written decision which shall state the facts determined by the committee and the reasons for its decision and forward them to the parties and the board of regents. The board of regents shall then take appropriate action, which shall be final. (g) If the committee decides there is a valid complaint (1) regarding matters under Bylaw 3.10.5.6.5 (1)–(4), it may take whatever action it deems appropriate, including recommendation for termination of the employment contract; (2) regarding matters under Bylaw 3.10.5.6.5 (5)– (6), if the member of the institution’s faculty or administration is a member of the Synod, it must also refer the complaint to the district president, who shall follow the procedure set forth in Bylaw sections 2.14 or 2.17. (h) At every stage of the above-described procedure, all parties must be furnished copies of all documents filed. (i) Any decision made pursuant to Bylaw 3.10.5.6.9 shall be final and binding on the parties involved with no right of further appeal. (j) In consultation with the Commission on Constitutional Matters, the Board of Directors of Concordia University System shall maintain and amend, as necessary, a Standard Operating Procedures Manual, which shall serve as a comprehensive procedures manual for this bylaw. 3.10.5.6.10 Each institution shall have established policies and procedures related to salary, faculty organization, faculty involvement in establishing institutional education policies, dispute resolution, modified service, sabbaticals and leaves. It shall also have policies and procedures related to student discipline. (a) The salary schedules of all institutional employees shall be fixed by the board of regents on recommendation of the president of the institution. The salary schedules shall be established within the broad guidelines provided by the Board of Directors of Concordia University System. (b) The board of regents, on recommendation of the president of the institution, shall establish an effective faculty organizational structure. (1) The president or his designee shall preside at regular and special meetings. (2) The faculty shall elect a secretary and provide for the election of committees, consisting of faculty members or of faculty members and other persons, who shall study, evaluate, and report to the faculty on policy matters affecting the academic activity of the institution, the activity and welfare of the members of the faculty, and the life 2 0 1 3 C o n v e n t io n P r o c e e d i n g s | 149