To Commend the Concordia University System

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1. 2To Commend the Concordia University System
2. 3RESOLUTION 7-01
3. 4Overtures 7-01–03 (CW, 417–22); President’s Report, Part 2 (TB, 1:33); Overture L7-30 (TB, 1:43)
4. 5WHEREAS, The Concordia University System (CUS) was established by the 1992 Synod convention (Res. 6-04, “To
5. 6Establish Concordia University System, Inc.” [Proc., 160–61]), replacing the Board for Higher Education Services, to
6. 7unify the universities of the Synod around the central mission to educate students for godly vocations in the church and
7. 8the world with a biblical foundation and the Lutheran Confessions of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and
8. 9WHEREAS, 2023 Resolution 7-04B, “To Revise Bylaws to Revisit and Renew Relationship of Colleges and
9. 10Universities with the Synod” (Proc., 170–90), focused the role of CUS on the Lutheran identity and mission of the Synod’s
10. 11universities; and
11. 12WHEREAS, CUS, in accordance with Bylaw 3.6.6.1, has adopted and implemented the Lutheran Identity and Mission
12. 13Outcomes Standards and engaged in both formal and informal visitations of our Concordia universities; and
13. 14WHEREAS, The presence of CUS staff and visitation teams on our campuses has produced significant positive results
14. 15in relationship building and the growth of trust; and
15. 16WHEREAS, CUS has, through the visitation process, produced positive improvements in the focus on Lutheran identity
16. 17and mission on our campuses as attested to by the formal visitation team reports and letters of determination; and
17. 18WHEREAS, The positive fruits of 2023 Res. 7-04B continue to be revealed; therefore be it
18. 19Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirm and sustain the work of the CUS; and be it further
19. 20Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for the work of the CUS and our universities in carrying out their mission,
20. 21and that the Synod pledge continued prayer, financial support, and encouragement.
21. 22The Chief Financial Officer and LCMS Accounting and Financial Services staff, in consultation with the Finance
22. 23Committee, estimate with regard to sustaining and pledging financial support for the Concordia University System
23. 24(CUS) that CUS operations annually cost corporate Synod $1,100,000 (FY27 budget), of which $250,000–$325,000
24. 25annually is associated with maintaining the separate legal entity. Over the last 5 fiscal years, corporate Synod has
25. 26supported CUS with $19 million, including grants for paydown of substantially all of CUS’ remaining debt (estimate
26. 27required by Bylaw 3.1.7 [g]).