To Provide for Prior Approval for Seminary Adjunct Faculty

WHEREAS, Our seminaries currently utilize part-time faculty, sometimes referred to as adjunct, visiting, or guest instructors (“adjuncts”), to teach a significant portion of the credit hours offered for various programs; and

WHEREAS, Full-time faculty must receive prior approval from the Synod prior to being called or hired (Bylaw 3.10.5.7.3 [a]), whereas there is no such oversight for adjuncts; and

WHEREAS, Because a course taught by a part-time faculty member is no less a part of the seminary formative process than a course taught by a full-time faculty member, it is appropriate that the same level of oversight apply to persons regularly teaching as part-time faculty; therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.10.5.7.3 be amended to read as follows:

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

3.10.5.7.3 The board of regents on recommendation of the president of the seminary shall appoint all full-time members of the faculty and all instructors (other than instructors who are emeriti faculty of the seminary, or instructors who do not teach in more than one academic year in any three academic year period).

(a) All initial appointments to a seminary faculties faculty, and all initial appointments of instructors (other than instructors who are emeriti faculty of the seminary, or instructors who do not teach in more than one academic year in any three academic year period), shall require prior approval by a majority vote of the President of the Synod (or his design ee), the chairman of the Council of Presidents (or his design ee), and the chairman of the Board for National Mission (or his design ee), and shall include a thorough theological review. The three voters shall be ordained. The process shall be facilitated by the Executive Director of Pastoral Education.

(b) The terms and conditions of every appointment shall be stated in writing and be in the possession of both the seminary and the prospective faculty member or instructor before the appointment is consummated. Limitations of academic freedom because of the religious and confessional nature and aims of the seminary shall be stated in writing at the time of the appointment and conveyed to the person being appointed.

(c) Ordinarily candidates for full-time teaching positions and instructors shall be roster ed members of the Synod. When laypersons are employed in full-time teaching positions or as instructors, they shall pledge to perform their duties in harmony with the Holy Scriptures as the inspired Word of God, the Lutheran Confessions, the Synod’s doctrinal statements, and the policies of the Synod.

(d) The board of regents may decline to renew an initial-level appointment of a faculty member at its discretion and without formal statement of cause. If reappointment to the teaching staff is not contemplated, the board of regents shall so notify the faculty member in writing through the president of the seminary at least six months prior to the expiration of the current appointment. Notice of non-reappointment shall be made at least 6 months before the expiration of an initial-level appointment of a faculty member. Instructors shall serve only for the duration of their contract and shall not be subject to the foregoing provisions of this subsection.

(e) The board of regents shall maintain standards of good practice that provide uniform procedures for renewing faculty employment contracts.

(f) Each seminary shall state policies regarding faculty appointments, employment contracts, contract renewal, and contract termination for all employees.

(g) For purposes of this bylaw, an “instructor” means any person who is not a full-time member of the faculty of the seminary, who is engaged to teach one or more seminary courses as the instructor there of.