To Commend the Concordia University System

To Commend the Concordia University System

RESOLUTION 7-01 Overtures 7-01–03 (CW, 417–22); President’s Report, Part 2 (TB, 1:33); Overture L7-30 (TB, 1:43)

WHEREAS, The Concordia University System (CUS) was established by the 1992 Synod convention (Res. 6 -04, “To Establish Concordia University System, Inc.” [Proc., 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 Confessions 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), focused the role of CUS on the Lutheran identity and mission of the Synod’s universities; and

WHEREAS, CUS, in accordance with Bylaw 3.6.6.1, has adopted and implemented the Lutheran Identity and Mission Outcomes Standards and engaged in both formal and informal visitations of our Concordia universities; 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 has, through the visitation process, 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 positive fruits of 2023 Res. 7-04B continue to be revealed; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirm and sustain the work of the CUS; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for the work of the CUS and our universities in carrying out their mission, and that the Synod pledge continued prayer, financial support, and encouragement.

The Chief Financial Officer and LCMS Accounting and Financial Services staff, in consultation with the Finance Committee, estimate with regard to sustaining and pledging financial support for the Concordia University System

(CUS) that CUS operations annually cost corporate Synod $1,100,000 (FY27 budget), of which $250,000 –$325,000 annually is associated with maintaining the separate legal entity. Over the last 5 fiscal years, corporate Synod has supported CUS with $19 million, including grants for paydown of substantially all of CUS ’ remaining debt (estimate required by Bylaw 3.1.7 [g]).