To Affirm and Sustain Concordia University System as Synodwide Corporate Entity

Ov. 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

WHEREAS, 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

WHEREAS, 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

WHEREAS, 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

WHEREAS, 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

WHEREAS, 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