LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 26 – 27, 2014, Page 17

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regents is to “ensure that its institutional handbook set[s] appropriate policies regarding faculty matters”
(2013 Proceedings, p. 145).
The following bylaw paragraphs remain under the “Concordia University System Faculties” section of the
Synod’s 2013 Handbook:
3.10.5.6

The faculty of each college or university of the Synod shall consist of the president, the full-time
faculty, and the part-time faculty.

3.10.5.6.1

Each educational institution shall state policies and procedures related to faculty appointments,
employment contracts, contract renewal, contract termination, faculty organization, modified
service, sabbaticals, and dispute resolution within the Concordia University System’s Standard
Operating Procedures Manual for Dispute Resolution.

3.10.5.6.2

Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, the board of regents, on recommendation of the
president of the institution, shall appoint all full-time members of the faculty. 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. Faculty members, full- and part-time, shall pledge to perform their duties in
harmony with the Holy Scriptures as the inspired Word of God, the Lutheran Confessions, and the
Synod’s doctrinal statements.

3.10.5.6.3

A formal procedure shall be in place to carry out performance reviews for all faculty on a regular
basis.

3.10.5.6.4

Other than honorable retirement, termination of faculty employment may only be the result of the
following:
(a) Professional incompetency
(b) Incapacity for the performance of duty
(c) Insubordination
(d) Neglect of or refusal to perform duties of office
(e) Conduct unbecoming a Christian
(f) Advocacy of false doctrine (Constitution Art. II) or failure to honor and uphold the
doctrinal position of the Synod as defined further in Bylaw 1.6.2 (b)
(g) Discontinuance of an entire program (e.g., social work, business)
(h) Discontinuance of an entire division or department (e.g., modern foreign language) of a
college or university;
(i) Reduction of the size of staff in order to maintain financial viability in compliance with
policies concerning fiscal viability
(j) Discontinuance, merger, or consolidation of an entire college or university operation

3.10.5.6.4.1 A faculty member who is on a roster of the Synod is under the ecclesiastical supervision of the
Synod. In the event a member is removed from membership in the Synod pursuant to procedure
established in these bylaws, then that member is also considered removed from the position held
and shall be terminated forthwith by the board of regents.
3.10.5.6.4.2 An appeal process following Concordia University System’s Standard Operating Procedures
Manual for Dispute Resolution shall be in place for use by faculty members who wish to challenge
a termination decision.

__________
Question 1: LCMS universities have various categories of faculty. To which faculty does section
3.10.5.6.4 of the 2013 LCMS Handbook apply?
CCM Minutes – September 26–27, 2014 – Page 47