To Ask That Concordia University Nebraska Local Regents Be Appointed

Preamble In its governing documents, Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE) is required to have university regents who reside in Seward County, Nebraska. Elections for such local regents took place at previous Synod conventions. However, this meant that those nominating individuals for the CUNE regents were only able to recommend a very small number of nominees. This overture asks that the elected CUNE regents appoint those local regents instead of having them be elected at Synod or Nebraska District conventions.

WHEREAS, 1 Corinthians 14:40 states that “all things should be done decently and in order”; and

WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.10.6.2 (2) reads “If any board is required by its governing documents to include one or more persons holding residenceorchurchmembershipinaspecificlocality,the institution is responsible for ensuring (including by appointment, if necessary) that individual(s) meeting such requirements are included among those persons serving on such board, and no such geographic restriction shall apply to Synod-elected regents”; and

WHEREAS, CUNE’s governing documents require a certain number of university regents to reside in Seward County, Nebraska; and

WHEREAS, Elections for these local CUNE regents have taken place at several previous Synod conventions; and

WHEREAS, Electing local regents at either Synod or Nebraska District conventions would limit the number of potential nominees to a very small number; and

WHEREAS, Others in the Synod might be willing to serve as CUNE regents who have previously been unable to due to not residing in Seward County, Nebraska; and

WHEREAS, Local regents for Synod universities can be appointed by the university’s board of regents according to Bylaw 3.10.6.2 (3); therefore be it

Resolved, That CUNE no longer have elections for regents living in Seward County at Synod conventions in accordance with Bylaw 3.10.6.2 (2), so that “no such geographic restriction … apply to Synod-elected regents”; and be it further

Resolved, That CUNE should be asked that they likewise do not insist on elections for local regents at future Nebraska District conventions; and be it further

Resolved, That from now on, the elected regents of CUNE be asked to appoint the number of local regents required by the university’s governing documents, following the procedures listed in Bylaw 3.10.6.2 (3); and be it finally

Resolved, That the CUNE Board of Regents make any bylaw changes as needed to enact this resolution.