LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 178

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7. UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
probation for up to a one-year period. If Concordia
University System determines that substantial progress
has been made and that verifiable plans and resources
are in place to bring the program into compliance, then
Concordia University System may extend probation
once, each extension by up to one year, but to no more
than two years total. Concordia University System may
lift probation earlier if the program is brought into
compliance. A program not in compliance at the
conclusion of the probationary period is no longer
affirmed by the Synod and therefore its graduates
cannot be declared as qualified for initial placement and
the program cannot be commended or acknowledged as
a suitable program of pre-seminary preparation.
(e) An institution or program under probation has not
lost affirmation is not “in good standing with the Synod”
for purposes of these Bylaws.
3.6.6.4.2 After input from its Institution Advisory Council,
the Concordia University System Board of Directors shall
implement and maintain policies governing, and shall
supervise, the process of formal visitation for the Synod’s
colleges and universities on the basis of the Lutheran
Identity and Mission Outcomes Standards.
(a) In preparation for visitation and affirmation review,
each institution and church work program shall provide,
on the basis of a thorough self-study, a written report
evidencing compliance with the criteria and core
components of the Standards, as evaluated by the stated
measurable factors, as well as indicating any relevant
explanatory factors and initiated or planned efforts to
improve specific aspects of performance relative to the
Standards. It shall especially address any issues noted in
previous reviews or specifically requested by Concordia
University System. The self-study shall be delivered to
and reviewed by Concordia University System.
(b) A visitation team, assembled by Concordia
University System upon review of the self-study report
or recommendation of its Institution Advisory Council,
shall itself review the self-study report and then visit the
institution, interacting with its board of regents,
administration, faculty, campus ministry staff, and
students. An effective visitation, with broad and
unimpeded access to campus program information,
policies, and personnel, shall be facilitated by the
institution. Each implemented or proposed church work
and pre-seminary program shall receive specific
attention.
(c) The visitation team shall prepare a report of its visit
and associated findings, which it shall provide to
Concordia University System and the institution within
60 days of the conclusion of the visit. After allowing 60
days for the institution to respond in writing to the
team’s report, Concordia University System shall, with
regard to the institution and each of its implemented or
proposed church work programs: (1) affirm without
concerns; or (2) affirm with concerns (notice); or (3)
place the institution or program on probation; or (4)
disaffirm, in the case of an initial application, or initiate
withdrawal of affirmation; or (5) initiate further
investigation, with the same or a new visitation team.
178 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION

(d) The institution reviewed may within 30 days of
being notified of Concordia University System’s
visitation determination(s) submit a written appeal
and/or response to Concordia University System’s
determination. Once Concordia University System has,
within 30 days of its receipt, considered and acted upon
any such appeal, its determination is final and not
subject to further appeal.
(e) Within the above 30-day period for request of an
appeal or within seven days of receipt of Concordia
University System’s negative action on a requested
appeal, an institution may state a corrective action plan
and request Concordia University System, acting in its
sole discretion, to grant a delay of up to six months in the
publication of a negative visitation result to allow
initiation of the plan. Concordia University System may
at its option require a summary of the action plan,
composed by the institution and approved by Concordia
University System, to be published with any revised
visitation outcome.
(f) At the conclusion of the above, the visitation status
of each institution and its programs, together with
summary reports of visitation reviews, any
imposition(s) of notice or probation, and any
withdrawal(s) of affirmation, shall be timely made
available to the Synod through a publicly accessible
website. The information presented shall be of a depth
and character that would allow members of the Synod to
evaluate the churchly character, relative value, and
mission effectiveness of each institution and program,
and to understand concretely the steps being taken to
improve the same.
(g) Visitation teams, composed of members of member
congregations of the Synod and assembled and
organized by Concordia University System, shall include
representation from peer boards of regents,
administrations, and faculties, and a district president
having ecclesiastical supervision of peer institution
faculty, all with demonstrated excellence in advancing
and achieving the Standards. It shall also include
representation drawn from the member congregations
and ministerium of the Synod and representative of their
interests in the institutions. The Institution Advisory
Council, the Council of Presidents, the Board for
National Mission, the Synod Board of Directors,
members of the Concordia University System Board of
Directors, and President of the Synod may nominate
visitors. The visitation team will be constituted of not
less than four members and not more than seven
members.
(h) An institution receiving a visitation team shall be
notified in advance of the membership of the team.
Either the institution or any member of such a team may
challenge the participation of any member on the basis
of actual partiality or the appearance thereof. Concordia
University System shall have in place a procedure for
responding to any such challenge within 30 days. A
finding by Concordia University System of actual
partiality or the appearance thereof shall disqualify the
member from participating in the visitation. Concordia
Resolutions