To Affirm and Sustain Concordia University System as Synodwide Corporate Entity

Official Workbook overture source text

7-02 
To Affirm and Sustain Concordia University 
System as Synodwide Corporate Entity 
WHEREAS, The Concordia University System (CUS) was 
established by the 1992 Synod convention (1992 Res. 6-04, “To 
Establish Concordia University System, Inc.,” Proceedings, 160–
61), replacing the Board for Higher Education Services, to unify the 
universities of the Synod around the central mission to educate 
students for Godly vocations in the Church and the world with a 
biblical foundation and the Lutheran confession of the Gospel of 
Jesus Christ; and 
W
HEREAS, 2023 Resolution 7- 04B, “To Revise Bylaws to 
Revisit and Renew Relationship of Colleges and Universities with 
the Synod” (Proc., 170–90), narrowed the role of CUS by relieving 
it of operational responsibilities, allowing it to focus on our 
universities’ Lutheran identity and mission; and 
W
HEREAS, CUS, under the leadership of its Board of Directors 
(BOD) and new staff, has taken up the challenge of this mission and 
made great strides toward an established, lasting approach that 
implements the Synod’s convention decisions while honoring the 
necessary academic freedom and autonomy of our institutions; and 
W
HEREAS, CUS, a synodwide corporate entity, provides a degree 
of separation between corporate Synod and its five universities, 
implementing the directions of the Synod’s conventions while 
maintaining the distinction required by national accrediting boards 
for our institutions; and 
W
HEREAS, CUS provides a legal buffer between corporate Synod 
and our universities, as attested by its not being involved in any 
legal disputes; and 
WHEREAS, The presence of CUS staff and visitation teams on our 
campuses has produced significant positive results in relationship 
building and the growth of trust; and 
WHEREAS, CUS, as a synodwide corporate entity, through the 
visitation process has produced positive improvements in the focus 
on Lutheran identity and mission on our campuses as attested to by 
the formal visitation team reports and letters of determination; and 
W
HEREAS, The Concordia University System Education 
Network (CUEnet) provides the online program for teacher 
colloquy, the first six courses for colloquy for the other 
commissioned ministry categories, and other resources as a 
common enterprise of the several universities through the CUS as a 
synodwide corporate entity; and 
WHEREAS, CUS has been endowed by private donors with a 
substantial foundation consisting of many restricted funds for 
student scholarships and institutional support that is the sole 
property of CUS; and 
WHEREAS, The floor committee overseeing the drafting and 
adoption of 2023 Res. 7-04B never considered changing the status 
of CUS as a synodwide corporate entity; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirm and sustain CUS 
as a synodwide corporate entity; and be it further 
Resolved, That the endowments entrusted to CUS remain solely 
under its ownership and stewardship; and be it further 
Resolved, That the implementation of 2023 Res. 7-04B continue 
unabated; and be it further 
Resolved, That the effective implementation of 2023 Res. 7-04B 
by CUS be evaluated by an independent task force to be formed by 
the 2032 Synod convention to bring recommendations and/or 
resolutions for consideration to the 2035 Synod convention; and be 
it further 
Resolved, That the CUS BOD and staff be commended for their 
work so far; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for the work of the 
CUS and our universities in carrying out their mission, pledging 
continued prayer, financial support, and encouragement. 
Board of Directors 
Concordia University System 
Ov.