Official Handbook Source Text

and other institutions, as it makes decisions with impact beyond its campus, especially as it plans new programs, discontinues existing programs, cooperates and consolidates operations with other Synod schools, operates in a worldwide online marketplace, cooperates with the Synod Board of Directors in the legal defense of the right to the free exercise of our confession, and interacts with the ministries and partner churches of the LCMS, domestically and internationally, in harmony with its programs and consistent with its pr otocol agreements;

(m) govern transparently, including, without limitation, providing to Concordia University System in a timely manner minutes of board meetings and board and institution policies adopted or modified, and to both Concordia University System and the Synod Board of Directors proposed revisions of institutional governing documents and policies prior to their adoption, and responsively, understanding inquiries and suggestions offered by Concordia University System and the Synod Board of Directors to be offered on behalf of the congregations of the Synod, to which the board is ultimately responsible;

(n) develop detailed policies and procedures for governance of the institution;

(o) maintain effective internal controls and operate with financial transparency, annually reviewing and approving the institutional budget and providing, within 30 days of board acceptance and final issuance of the institutional audit, audited financial statements and other information as specified in the policies of the Synod Board of Directors and to congregations of the Synod upon request;

(p) maintain policies and procedures for handling faculty complaints and dispute resolution in compliance with Bylaw 3.10.6.9.6;

(q) exercise its exclusive duty of institutional governance in the interest of the Synod without abdicating its authority to, or commingling its authority with, that of others;

(r) ensure that all governing and other legal documents and policies of the institution conform to and are consistent with the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod, and modify institutional governing documents only after proposed modifications ha ve been approved by the Commission on Constitutional Matters and with at least 30 days advance notice to the Synod Board of Directors as custodian of Synod’s property;

(s) take the leadership in assuring the preservation and improvement of the assets of the institution and see to the acquisition, management, use, and disposal of the properties and equipment of the institution.

(t) safeguard present and future assets of the institution, making every effort to ensure designation of gifts, whether to the university itself or to any associated foundation, so that they will continue to be available to higher education within the Synod in the event of the closure, divestiture, or separation of the institution;

(u) initiate a performance review of the institution’s president upon identification of significant operational deficiencies;