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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 455

any relevant explanatory factors and initiated or planned efforts 
to improve specific aspects of performance relative to the 
Standards. It shall especially address any issues noted in previous 
reviews or specifically requested by Concordia University 
System the commission. The self-study shall be delivered to and 
reviewed by Concordia University System the commission. 
(b) A visitation team, assembled by  Concordia University 
System the commission upon review of the self -study report or 
recommendation of its Institution Advisory Council, shall itself 
review the self -study report and then visit the institution, 
interacting with its board of regents, administration, faculty, 
campus ministry staff, and students. An effective visitation, with 
broad and unimpeded access to campus program information, 
policies, and personnel, shall be facilitated by the institution. 
Each implemented or proposed church work and pre- seminary 
program shall receive specific attention. 
(c) The visitation team shall prepare a report of its visit and 
associated findings, which it shall provide to Concordia 
University System the commission and the institution within 60 
days of the conclusion of the visit. After allowing 60 days for the 
institution to respond in writing to the team’s report, Concordia 
University System the commission shall, with regard to the 
institution and each of its implemented or proposed church work 
programs: (1) affirm without concerns; or (2) affirm with 
concerns (notice); or (3) place the institution or program on 
probation; or (4) disaffirm, in the case of an initial application, or 
initiate withdrawal of affirmation; or (5) initiate further 
investigation, with the same or a new visitation team. 
(d) The institution reviewed may within 30 days of being 
notified of  Concordia University System  the commission ’s 
visitation determination(s) submit a written appeal and/or 
response to Concordia University System  the commission’s 
determination. Once Concordia University System the 
commission has, within 30 days of its receipt, considered and 
acted upon any such appeal, its determination is final and not 
subject to further appeal. 
(e) Within the above 30- day period for request of an appeal or 
within seven days of receipt of Concordia University System the 
commission’s negative action on a requested appeal, an 
institution may state a corrective action plan and request  
Concordia University System the commission, acting in its sole 
discretion, to grant a delay of up to six months in the publication 
of a negative visitation result to allow initiation of the plan. 
Concordia University System The commission may at its option 
require a summary of the action plan, composed by the institution 
and approved by Concordia University System the commission, 
to be published with any revised visitation outcome. 
(f) At the conclusion of the above, the visitation status of each 
institution and its programs, together with summary reports of 
visitation reviews, any imposition(s) of notice or probation, and 
any withdrawal(s) of affirmation, shall be timely made available 
to the Synod through a publicly accessible website. The 
information presented shall be of a depth and character that would 
allow members of the Synod to evaluate the churchly character, 
relative value, and mission effectiveness of each institution and 
program, and to understand concretely the steps being taken to 
improve the same. 
(g) Visitation teams, composed of members of member 
congregations of the Synod and assembled and organized by 
Concordia University System  the commission, shall include 
representation from peer boards of regents, administrations, and 
faculties, and a district president having ecclesiastical 
supervision of peer institution faculty, all with demonstrated 
excellence in advancing and achieving the Standards. They shall 
also include representation drawn from the member 
congregations and ministerium of the Synod and representative 
of their interests in the institutions. The Institution Advisory 
Council, the Council of Presidents, the Board for National 
Mission, the Synod Board of Directors, members of the  
Concordia University System Board of Directors  commission, 
and President of the Synod may nominate visitors. Each visitation 
team will be constituted of not less than four members and not 
more than seven members. 
(h) An institution receiving a visitation team shall be notified in 
advance of the membership of the team. Either the institution or 
any member of such a team may challenge the participation of 
any member on the basis of actual partiality or the appearance 
thereof. Concordia University System The commission shall 
have in place a procedure for responding to any such challenge 
within 30 days. A finding by Concordia University System the 
commission of actual partiality or the appearance thereof shall 
disqualify the member from participating in the visitation. 
Concordia University System The commission may at its option 
replace any member so disqualified or continue with the reduced 
visitation team. 
(i) Concordia University SystemThe commission , with the 
assistance of its Institution Advisory Council, shall provide 
training for members of visitation teams, according to policies 
established by Concordia University System the commission. 
(j) Direct costs of the visitation process shall be borne by the 
institution visited, regulated according to a schedule devised, 
after input from the Institution Advisory Council, and published 
triennially by Concordia University System the commission. 
Staff 
3.9.6.5 The Commission for University Education shall operate 
under the human resources policies of the Synod as provided by the 
Board of Directors of the Synod, in accordance with Bylaw 3.3.4.3. 
3.9.6.5.1 The commission may create an executive director position 
and fill it in accordance with the Bylaws of the Synod and the human 
resources policies of corporate Synod. 
(a) The executive director shall serve at the pleasure of the 
commission. 
(1) The slate of candidates for the initial appointment of the 
executive director shall be selected by the commission in 
consultation with and with the mutual concurrence of the 
President of the Synod. 
(2) In the event of a vacancy, the commission and the 
President of the Synod shall act expeditiously to fill the 
vacancy. This commission shall present its list of candidates 
to the President. 
(3) The commission shall conduct an annual review of its 
executive director and, before the expiration of five years, 
conduct a comprehensive review. 
(4) At the conclusion of each five- year period, the 
appointment shall terminate unless the commission takes 
specific action to continue the person in the office, each 
subsequent term not to exceed five years. 
(b) Any interim executive director appointment by the 
commission shall follow a process similar to the initial 
appointment of the executive director. 
(1) Such interim appointee must be approved by the President 
of the Synod and may not serve more than 18 months without 
the concurrence of the President of the Synod. 
(2) Such interim appointee shall be ineligible to serve on a 
permanent basis without the concurrence of the President of 
the Synod. 
(c) The executive director of the commission shall normally 
attend all meetings of the commission except when his own 
position is being considered. 
2026 Convention Workbook
420 UNIVERSITY EDUCA TION