# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_May 18 20 2007_S1
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MINUTES
COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
May 18–20, 2007
St. Louis, Missouri
198. Call to Order and Opening Devotion
Chairman Albert Marcis called the meeting to order with all members present except the Secretary of the
Synod (morning session) due to responsibilities with the Board of Directors. Don Little provided an
opening devotion. The meeting continued into the 2007 convention’s Floor Committee Weekend, the
members of the Commission making themselves available to lend their counsel as proposed resolutions
were formulated.
199. Board for University Education Standard Operating Procedures Manual (06-2466B)
The final draft of the Standard Operating Procedures Manual required by Bylaw 3.8.3.8.9 (j), prepared
for final consideration by the secretary of the Commission in consultation with the administrative staff of
the Board for University Education, was reviewed. The Commission noted that the Board for University
Education office encouraged the Commission’s approval. After discussion, the Commission approved the
operating procedures manual as follows:
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES MANUAL
COMPLAINT/DISPUTE RESOLUTION: COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.

General .....................................................................................................................................................2

II.

Definition of Terms.................................................................................................................................4

III.

General Principles and Regulations .....................................................................................................7

IV.

Flow Chart of Bylaw 3.8.3.8.9 Process .................................................................................................8

V.

Detailed Bylaw 3.8.3.8.9 Process ...........................................................................................................9
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

VI.

Reception of Complaint ...................................................................................9
Request for Formal Process...........................................................................10
Formation of Review Committee ..................................................................11
Review Committee Formal Hearing .............................................................12
Review Committee Decision ..........................................................................14

Appendix A: Review Committee Decision Report ............................................................................16
I. General

A. Preamble
The 2004 convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod amended the ecclesiastical supervision bylaws of the Synod for
resolving complaints and disputes (Res. 8-01A), including complaints brought against members of an educational institution’s
faculty or administration under Bylaw sections 3.8.3.8.5 and 3.8.3.8.9 (formerly Bylaw sections 6.43 and 6.47 of the 2001
Handbook, pp. 110-112).