LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 223

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HIGHER EDUCATION 223

ties are facing them as they seek to sustain their service to the
Synod in an increasingly difficult educational environment; and

Whereas, The local campus leaders must exercise a higher
level of governance and leadership in response to the needs and op-
portunities presented by campus constituencies while remaining
faithful to the mission and needs of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod; and

WHEREAS, A think tank established by the BHE/CUS Board in
January 2001 spent 18 months studying the strategic future of
LCMS higher education and the BHE/CUS Board endorsed the
findings of the think tank (presented in this memorial); and

Wuereas, The think tank and the BHE/CUS Board have artic-
ulated five key principles that will guide the future of the Concor-
dia University System (CUS): (1) The CUS will work to maintain
and enhance the Christ-centered and Lutheran character of its in-
stitutions; (2) The CUS will provide commissioned ministers for
the LCMS; (3) The CUS will work to ensure a strong fiscal future
for its institutions; (4) The CUS will establish expectations for the
quality of its institutions; (5) The CUS will implement the preced-
ing four principles through governance structures that require more
clearly focused accountability of its institutions to the systemwide
Board while expecting stronger governance of the institutions by
their Boards of Regents; and

WuerEAs, The structural changes proposed in this memorial
place more responsibility upon Boards of Regents to ensure effec-
tive institutional operations while requiring Boards of Regents to
clearly demonstrate that their institutions are providing quality ed-
ucation that is faithful to the doctrine and mission of the LCMS;
and

WHEREAS, The BHE/CUS Board encourages adoption of the
proposed changes so that college and university education can
serve the Synod’s mission and ministry needs with a more effective
structure; therefore be it

Resolved, That there should be a governing board for the Con-
cordia University System and a separate governing board for sem-
inaries; and be it further ;

Resolved, That the CUS Board be composed of the following
members: one ordained, elected by the Synod; two commissioned,
elected by the Synod; 2 laypersons, elected by the Synod; three
LCMS laypersons, selected by the CUS Council of Members; the
Synod President or his representative (voting); the Synod Treasurer
(advisory); and be it further

Resolved, That the CUS Board shall receive evidence from each
institution on a regular basis that it is complying with absolute re-
quirements in the following areas: Christ-centered and Lutheran,
church work programs, quest for quality, and ongoing viability. So
long as the CUS Board finds an institution to be in compliance with
the absolute requirements, the local Board of Regents shall have
the opportunity and responsibility to operate the institution accord-
ing to its best judgment; and be it further

Resolved, That each institutional Board of Regents is composed
of the following members, all of whom are members in good stand-
ing of LCMS congregations: one ordained, elected by the Synod;
one commissioned, elected by the Synod; one ordained, elected by
the District; one commissioned, elected by the District; one layper-
son, elected by the Synod; one layperson, elected by the District;
the geographical District President (ex officio, voting). Each Board
of Regents will normally have 15-25 members, including elected
members. Each institution will establish the procedures and
processes for selecting the board-appointed members. Current re-
gents stay in place through their terms, then each is replaced ac-
cording to their Board’s policy; and be it further

Resolved, That the slate for institution president is submitted by
the Board of Regents (following appropriate consultations with fac-
ulty and administration), approved by the president of the Concor-
dia University System, approved by the President of Synod, and fi-
nally elected by the Board of Regents; and be it finally

Resolved, That this resolution be submitted to the 2004 Synod
convention.

Atlantic District

5-04

To Change Manner of Electing Boards of Regents
and Eliminate Concordia University System Board

WHEREAS, Board of regents elections at Synod conventions
have become increasingly political, evidenced by the election of
regents living in areas of the country far removed from the univer-
sity’s location; and

WHEREAS, Many qualified individuals have been unjustly and
unwisely denied the opportunity to serve for this reason; and

WHEREAS, Local individuals have better knowledge of the uni-
versity near them, its ministry, and its needs; and

WuerEAS, Local Districts have better knowledge of their
school’s circumstances and those available to serve as regents; and

WHEREAS, Each Concordia university has been expected to
function with little or no financial support from the Synod for some
time now, highlighting each school’s increased independence; and

WHEREAS, Elections at Synod conventions should be fewer
rather than greater in number; and

WHEREAS, It is always an admirable goal to spend less money
on Synod administration and more on Gospel outreach; and

WHEREAS, Trust and encouragement should characterize our
lives together in the Lord, not deception or suspicion; therefore be
it

Resolved, That Concordia University System boards of regents
be required to be members in good standing of the District in which
each school is located, or residents of the state in which each school
is located; and be it further

Resolved, That the elections of regents occur at District, not
Synod, conventions, beginning in 2006; and be it further

Resolved, That the slates of regents candidates be prepared by
the appropriate Districts’ nominating committees; and be it further

Resolved, That the Concordia University System Board be elim-
inated with gratitude and thanks for its past service; and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That all appropriate Synod and District bylaw
changes be drafted as soon as possible toward the implementation
of this resolution; and be it finally

Resolved, That the President of the Synod appoint and empower
a committee to determine all necessary changes and implement this
resolution.

St. John
Spokane, WA

5-05

To Restructure Colleges’/Universities’
Boards of Regents

WHEREAS, The colleges/universities/seminaries 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 difficult educational environment; and

WHEREAS, The local campus leaders must exercise a higher
level of governance and leadership in response to the needs and op-
portunities presented by campus constituencies while remaining
faithful to the mission and needs of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod; and

WHerEAS, A study group established by the BHE/CUS Board
in January 2001 spent 18 months studying the strategic future of
LCMS colleges and universities, and the BHE/CUS Board incor-
porated the findings of the study group into its recommendations,
and

WHEREAS, The BHE/CUS Board has identified five key princi-
ples that will guide the future of the Concordia University System
(CUS): (1) The CUS will work to maintain and enhance the Christ-
centered and Lutheran character of its institutions; (2) The CUS
will provide commissioned ministers for the LCMS; (3) The CUS