# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_September 26 27 2014_S20
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

noted in the commission’s response to question 8, each educational institution must “state policies and
procedures related to faculty appointments, employment contracts, contract renewal, contract
termination,” etc. (Bylaw 3.10.5.6.1), which policies could include such provisions as provided in this
question so long as they do not contradict the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod.
Question 10: Since tenure is commonly used to mean “a senior academic’s contractual right not to have
his or her position terminated without just cause” (Wikipedia, sub voc., accessed 7/10/2014),
and since the 2013 LCMS Handbook grants university faculty the right not to have their
positions terminated without just cause, is it legitimate for a university to state in its
handbook that it does not offer tenure (CUW Faculty Handbook, July 1, 2014, pg. 42)?
Opinion: Tenure is no longer mentioned in the Bylaws of the Synod that govern Concordia University
System schools and faculties. So long as educational institutions “state policies and procedures related to
faculty appointments, employment contracts, contract renewal, contract termination,” etc. (Bylaw
3.10.5.6.1) and the “terms and conditions of every appointment shall be stated in writing and be in the
possession of both the institution and the prospective faculty member before the appointment is
consummated” (Bylaw 3.10.5.6.2), the use (or not) of the term “tenure” is not an issue.
70. Other Matters
During the course of the meeting, the commission also discussed the following:
•
•
•
•

Removal of existing commission governing policy materials from its Web site.
Development of a discussion outline for the joint November 2014 meeting with the Council of
Presidents and the Commission on Handbook.
Development of a constitution and bylaws guidelines document for congregations that would
include only essential requirements for membership in the Synod.
Provision of an email contact address to facilitate informal questions to the commission by
members of the Synod.

71. Business Carried Over to Next Meeting
With available meeting time having expired, the commission agreed to carry over the following items on
the agenda to its next meeting:
•
•
•
•
•

Review of Missouri District Policy Manual (14-2721)
Review of Wyoming District Articles of Incorporation (14-2730)
Review of Missouri District Bylaws (14-2731)
Review of Kansas District Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws (14-2733)
Review of Mid-South District Accountable Manager Governance Document (14-2736)

The following matters await further consideration by the commission and will appear on future meeting
agendas after additional materials have been received:
•
•
•
•
•
•

Concordia Historical Institute Documents Review (08-2523)
Southern District CEF Operations Manual Review (11-2605)
All Remaining Districts Articles of Incorporation Review
Central Illinois District Bylaw Revisions Review (13-2692)
Board for National Mission Policy Manual Review (13-2687A)
Not-for Profit Corporation Law and Annual Meetings (14-2702)
CCM Minutes – September 26–27, 2014 – Page 50