LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 133

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

HIGHER EDUCATION
d. b. 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. Limitations of academic freedom because of the religious and
confessional nature and aims of the institution shall be
stated in writing at the time of the appointment and
conveyed to the person being appointed.
e. c. Ordinarily candidates for teaching positions
with tenure on the Synod’s instructional staff shall be
graduates of a theological seminary or teachers college
affiliated with the Synod or shall have achieved such
status by colloquy full-time teaching positions shall be
rostered members of the Synod. When, in exceptional
cases, laypersons are involved, they should be persons
who are solemnly pledged to the Holy Scriptures as the
inspired Word of God and to the Lutheran Confessions.
are employed in full-time teaching positions, they shall
pledge to perform their duties in harmony with the Holy
Scriptures as the inspired Word of God, the Lutheran
Confessions, the Synod’s doctrinal statements, and the
policies of the Synod.
[Rationale: This new wording states the same policy
in clearer language.]
c. d. The Board of Regents may decline to renew the
appointment of a faculty member without tenure at its
discretion and without formal statement of cause. If
reappointment to the teaching staff is not contemplated, the Board of Regents shall so notify the faculty
member through the president of the institution at
least six months prior to the expiration of the current
appointment. In the case of individuals under consideration for permanent tenure (Bylaw 6.25 (b) such notice
of nonreappointment shall be made at least 12 months
before the expiration of the current appointment.
f. e. The Board for Higher Education shall state
standards of good practice that provide uniform procedures for renewing faculty employment contracts.
g. f. Each institution shall state policies regarding
faculty tenure, employment contracts, contract renewal,
and contract termination for all employees within Board
for Higher Education guidelines.
6.25 Permanent Tenure
Each educational institution of the Synod shall normally award tenure to a minimum of 40 percent and
maximum of 60 percent of its faculty.
a. Standards or qualifications for granting tenure
shall be as follows:
1. The faculty member shall ordinarily have completed five years of creditable service (periods of leave
are not included) as a member of the faculty of one or
more educational institutions of the Synod, at least the
last two years of which shall have been in the institution currently served. However, the said five-year requirement may be waived in exceptional cases if the
unanimous consent of the electors is given.
2.The faculty member shall have demonstrated
scholarly achievement by earning advanced academic
degrees. The faculty members shall, as determined by
their academic discipline, regularly continue to demonstrate scholarly achievement which may be institutionally funded as determined by the Board of Regents.
3. The faculty member’s reputation, character, concern for students, and ability to honor leaders shall present a good reflection on the institution and the church.
4. The faculty member’s aptness to teach has been
demonstrated by effective communication in the classroom.
b. Steps toward granting tenure shall be as follows:
1. If the Board of Regents, on recommendation of the
president of the institution, determines that a faculty
member meets the above requirements and has not
been granted permanent tenure, it shall either carry

133
forward the procedure for granting permanent tenure
or inform the faculty member of its decision not to grant
tenure, in which case the contract may either be renewed or terminated. In cases in which the decision is
made to terminate the individual’s contract, the contract shall be extended for at least six months beyond
the time at which notice is given. If the Board of Regents does not take up the question of permanent
tenure at least nine months prior to the end of the sixth
year of service, the faculty member may petition the
Board of Regents to take up the question of permanent
tenure.
2. Notice of intent to grant tenure shall be announced in an official periodical of the Synod.
3. The faculty member shall be given the opportunity to respond to any comments or concerns that may
have been raised relative to tenure.
4. At least six weeks after the notice is published,
consent of the electors of the institution shall be given.
5. If the above steps have all been met, after final
review the Board of Regents may grant tenure.
c. The granting of permanent tenure shall in no case
be construed as requiring or indicating advancement in
rank or increase in salary.
6.27 Ranking of Members
a. The Board of Regents shall determine the assignment and rank of members of the faculty and of the administrative officers.
b. The approved nomenclature for the ranks of the
regular teaching faculty is instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, and professor. Any part-time or
temporary faculty members shall hold nonvoting membership on the faculty.
c. Faculty and staff members whose educational responsibilities include supporting services may be designated as “faculty without rank,” or “staff.”
d. The descriptive prefixes visiting or guest may be
used, when appropriate, with the designation of any
rank. The descriptive suffix emeritus may be used,
when appropriate, with the designation for professor or
associate professor, by special resolution of the Board
of Regents in the case of each person to be so designated.
e. Persons appointed with the designation graduate
assistant shall not be voting members of the faculty but
may be granted other faculty privileges and benefits as
determined by the Board of Regents.
f. Nonteaching staff positions that require a minimum of a four-year degree in their job description may
be classified as professional staff. All other employees
are designated as support staff.
[Rationale: This detail is Board of Regents’ business
under 6.03 b and 6.03 j 3.]
6.29 Salary Schedules
The salary schedules of all institutional employees
shall be fixed by the Board of Regents on recommendation of the president of the institution. Ordinarily, The
salary schedules shall be established within the broad
guidelines provided by the Board for Higher Education.
6.31 Faculty Organization and Meetings
a. Instructional staff size or special synodical responsibilities may lead to the organization of a faculty
senate. The Board of Regents, on recommendation of the
president of the institution, shall establish an effective
faculty organizational structure.
[Rationale: Faculty organization is included in institutional governance policies, a Board of Regents responsibility under 6.03 c.]
b. Faculty and faculty senate meetings shall be held
at regular intervals.