LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 220

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220 SEMINARY AND UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

5-21

To Retain Present Numerical
Strength for Seminary Boards

WHEREAS, Proposals have been suggested to enlarge the boards
of regents of our seminaries from 9 to 13 members; and

WHEREAS, It has been proposed that the additional members be
either appointed by the boards of regents or elected locally; and

WHEREAS, The reason given for adding such members is to ob-
tain expertise in finance, law, investments, human resources, local
and regional markets, facilities, fund development, administration
of complex organizations, and higher education administration; and

WHEREAS, Expertise and advice may be readily provided on a
casual and incidental basis pro bono by faithful and dedicated
members of the LCMS; and

WHEREAS, The seminaries may and do appoint such advisory
councils and committees as may be needed for the above and other
functions; and

WHEREAS, “The worker deserves his wages,” (Luke 10:7); nor-
mal and ordinary professional advice should not be sought without
due compensation for the same; and

WHEREAS, Such additions may cause erosion of Synod control
and oversight of the seminaries and adversely affect teachings and
doctrine; and

WHEREAS, History teaches us that such loss of control and over-
sight has led to secularization of the teaching at religious institu-
tions of higher learning; and

WHEREAS, There is no proven correlation between the number
of board members and competence; and

WHEREAS, Such additions may lead to abuse, e.g., large donor
board members may attempt to influence program, curriculum, and
teaching (doctrine); and

WHEREAS, Regular election of members of boards of regents
mitigates against opportunities and temptations for abuse; therefore
be it .
Resolved, That the boards of regents of the Synod’s seminaries
be retained at their present numerical strength of nine members;
and be it further

Resolved, That election of said boards of regents continue as
provided for in the 2004 Synod Handbook.

Concordia
Toledo, OH

5-22

To Expand College and University Boards of Regents

WHEREAS, The colleges and universities 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 complex educational environment; and

WHEREAS, The local campus leaders and boards of regents must
exercise a higher level of governance and leadership in response to
the needs and opportunities presented by campus constituencies
while remaining faithful to the mission and needs of the LCMS;
and .

WHEREAS, Effective boards of regents include members with a
specific set of skills, including knowledge in the areas of finance,
law, investments, human resources, facilities, local and regional
markets, fund development, administration of complex organiza-
tions, and higher education administration; and

WHEREAS, CUS colleges/universities on the average have more
than 1,000 students, and faculty/staff personnel in excess of 200,
resulting in legal and human resource management issues; and

Wuereas, CUS colleges/universities manage operational bud-
gets from $10 million to $55 million, requiring strategic decision
making to maintain fiscal viability; and

WHEREAS, CUS colleges/universities insure facilities in excess
of $1.5 billion, some of which is financed through state and local
bond issues requiring management, maintenance, financing, and
scheduling of multiple facilities to minimize capital debt; and

WHEREAS, CUS colleges/universities are subject to increasing
oversight from federal and state government and regional accredit-
ing agencies; and

WHEREAS, There must be sufficient boards of regents members
with commitment to the mission and purpose of the respective in-
stitution, knowledge regarding the region in which institution is lo-
cated, commitment to allocating time, talent, and treasure to the in-
Stitution and assisting with the identification and encouragement
of. donors; and

WHerEas, The BUE/CUS Board encourages adoption of the
following changes so that the governance structure of the CUS col-
leges/universities can serve the Synod’s mission and ministry more
effectively; therefore be it

Resolved, That Synod Bylaw 3.8.3.6.2 be amended to read as
follows:

PRESENT PROPOSED WORDING
The board of regents of each college and university shall
consist of +3 no more than 17 voting members, with lay mem-
i iding knowledge include but i limited

1. One ordained minister, one commissioned minister, and ¢hree
two laypersons shall be elected by the conventions of the Synod.
2. One ordained minister, one commissioned minister, and ene
Jeypersen shall be elected by the geographical
district in which the institution is located.

3. Fewr No less than four and no more than eight laypersons
shall be appointed as voting members by the board of regents in

a nonconvention year.

4. The president of the district in which the college or univer-
sity is located or a district vice-president as his standing repre-
sentative shall serve as an ex officio voting member.

5. College and university boards of regents members may be
elected or appointed to serve a maximum of three consecutive
three-year terms and must hold membership in a member con-
gregation of the Synod.

6. Not more than two of the elected members shall be members
of the same congregation.

Board of Regents, Concordia University Seward, NE;
Board of Regents, Concordia University Wisconsin; Gloria
Dei, Houston, TX; Board for University Education/
Concordia University System; Board of Directors, Texas
District

§-23

To Amend Bylaw 3.8.3.7.2 re Election
of College/University Presidents

Rationale

The process for electing the president of a college or university
is designed to provide significant Synod involvement in the selec-
tion process. However, when the process is too lengthy the institu-
tion suffers. It is extremely difficult to sustain the institution's
momentum and sustain a high level of engagement with the insti-
tution’s supporters between presidents. The following revision per-
mits an election less than thirty days after the candidate list has
been published. The proposed revision also provides some addi-
tional clarity by reorganizing parts of the bylaw and by using the
terms “qualification committee” and “screening committee” for
“search committee” in its two phases.

Therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.8.3.7.2 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING