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SYNOD OF THE SUN
Stated Meeting – April 27-29, 2006
Highland Park Presbyterian Church – Dallas, Texas
Appendix C
THE COVENANT
BETWEEN
AUSTIN COLLEGE AND THE
SYNOD OF THE SUN
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
(U.S.A.)
Historical Overview
Austin
College was founded in 1849 by representatives of the
Presbyterian Church and maintained a legal relationship with the
Synod and its successors from that date until the mid-1960s. At
that time, a redefinition of the legal link between Austin
College and the Synod began to evolve. At a meeting of the
Board of Trustees in October 1962, the Board considered a
proposal that would create a “covenant relationship” between the
College and the Synod. As a result of this consideration, a
special committee of representatives from the Church and the
Trustees reviewed the historical and legal relationship between
the two institutions.
In 1966,
the Synod approved revisions in the covenant relationship to the
College, with the net effect of these changes severing the legal
ties between the Presbyterian Church and the Board of Trustees
that were reflected in the charter of 1849. It was at this time
that the Board of Trustees at Austin College became a
self-perpetuating board. At the same time, the Trustees signed
a document called the covenant with the Synod that was not
legally binding but contained a pledge that the Trustees would
“uphold the Christian values of the institution and honor the
traditions of Presbyterianism upon which this school rested
historically.”
The College
continued to maintain a strong commitment to the Church, and
during his era of leadership, President John D. Moseley adopted
a new slogan, “A College of the Church,” that publicly denoted
his commitment to the covenant relationship that he and the
Board of Trustees had orchestrated.
The College and the Synod in 1982 prepared and agreed upon a
document entitled “The Covenant between Austin College and the
Synod of the Sun.” This relationship has been articulated
through the covenants as they have been revised every six
years.
I. The Nature of the Covenant
A.
Definition and Purpose
This Covenant is a
continuing agreement between Austin College and the Synod of the
Sun to affirm the historic and present relationship in which
there is a mutuality of purpose. The term “covenant” is used to
express this relationship of mutual commitment. Both the
College and the Synod recognize this document as the covenantal
agreement describing the primary relationship between the two
institutions. It is intended that this Covenant be an
expression of the supportive relationship between these two
institutions and that other official documents of each
institution be consistent with this one.
A covenant statement is needed for several reasons. It
is the way in which the College and the Synod affirm mutual
trust and concern and assure that each remains steadfast to
historic commitments to educational excellence. It brings
clarity and precision to the relationship between the College
and the Synod. It helps maintain the relationship by providing
for regular renewal. It is a means for expressing the
relationship between two legally distinct and independent
institutions. It can be a vehicle to evaluate the evolution of
the relationship and fosters complimentary effectiveness for
both parties.
B.
Parties to the Covenant and Their Historical Background
The parties to this Covenant are Austin College and the
Synod of the Sun of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Austin
College came into existence on October 13, 1849, by action of
the Presbytery of Brazos, which established Austin College to
serve the Presbyterian Church in the field of higher education.
The legal basis for the existence of the College, however, is an
act of the Texas Legislature on November 22, 1849, granting a
Charter directly to the College Trustees. For more than a
century, Austin College maintained a significant relationship
with the Synod of Texas and later the Synod of Oklahoma,
consciously seeking to relate the Christian faith to the task of
providing a liberating education which helps men and women
become whole in competence and conscience. In January 1973, the
Synod of Texas and Synod of Oklahoma were succeeded by the
regional Synod of Red River, encompassing the four former Synods
of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas. In June 1983, the
Synod of Red River and the Synod of the Sun (of the United
Presbyterian Church in the United States of America) merged to
form the Synod of the Sun of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Since 1962, the concept of a covenant has been used to express
Austin College’s relationship with the Synod of jurisdiction.
The College and the Synod have renewed the Covenant every six
years to signify their intention to continue to be related
because of shared concerns.
II. Responsibilities
A. The Mission of Austin College
Austin College is a private,
residential, co-educational college dedicated to educating
under-graduate students in the liberal arts and sciences while
also offering select pre-professional programs and a graduate
teacher education program. Founded by the Presbyterian Church
in 1849, Austin College continues its relationship with the
church and its commitment to a heritage that values personal
growth, justice, community, and service. An Austin College
education emphasizes academic excellence, intellectual and
personal integrity, and participation in community life. Thus
Austin College affirms the importance of
·
A community
that through its size, diversity, and programs fosters lively
intellectual and social interaction among persons of different
origins, experiences, beliefs, accomplishments, and goals
·
A program that
does not discriminate with regard to religion or creed, gender,
sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, physical
disability, age, or economic status
·
A faculty that
acknowledges teaching, sustained by active commitment to
professional growth and development, as its primary
responsibility
·
A student body
of committed learners, actively involved in the programs of the
college and in service to the greater community
·
A climate of
civility and respect that encourages free inquiry and the open
expression of ideas
·
A non-sectarian
education that fosters the exploration and development of values
through an awareness of the world’s religious, philosophical,
and cultural traditions.
·
The mission of
Austin College is to educate students in the liberal arts and
sciences in order to prepare them for rewarding careers and for
full, engaged, and meaningful lives.
B.
The Mission of the Synod
The Synod of the Sun is a regional body of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) encompassing the eleven
presbyteries in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. As
Presbyterians, we understand the nature of God and what God
calls us to be and to do as revealed in scripture and
interpreted by the historic confessions of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.). As Christians, we believe that revelation
reaches its fullness in the persona and ministry of Jesus
Christ, the chief cornerstone of the Church. Guided and
empowered by the Holy Spirit, we recognize the multiform nature
of the Church of Jesus Christ as His body and acknowledge
ourselves as one part of it.
The Synod of the Sun, remembering the Presbyterian Church’s
historical commitment to higher education:
·
Values its covenantal relationship with colleges
and universities within its bounds;
·
Supports the colleges and universities in the
pursuit of excellence in the intellectual, physical, and
spiritual development of their students, faculty, and
administration; and
·
Endorses the concepts of inclusiveness, diversity, and pluralism
in all of life including the life of academic institutions.
C.
The Parties and Their Relationship
In order that their missions be performed fully and
effectively, Austin College and the Synod of the Sun establish
this covenant relationship as the basis for continuing trust,
mutual understanding, and future activity. In establishing and
fulfilling this Covenant, the College normally acts through its
Board of Trustees. The Synod acts upon the recommendation of its
Higher Education Division. Each may delegate responsibilities
to others. Both the College and the Synod agree that the life
of each will be enriched and made more dynamic by understanding
that each party has its own role, and that these roles can be
strengthened through the mutual exchange of ideas, resources,
and support for the mission of the other.
D.
Corporate Integrity of Each Party
Austin College and the Synod of the Sun must be
separate, legally independent, and mutually responsible entities
if the goals and purposes of this Covenant are to be realized.
Article Four of the College’s Charter states that in the event
of the dissolution of Austin College, the residue of assets
would revert to the Synod of the Sun, Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.), or its successors, to be used for a like educational
purpose, and that any change in article Four of the Charter must
have the prior approval both of the Synod and of the College.
Nothing herein shall amend Article Four of the Charter of the
College.
It
is expressly agreed that as long as Austin College is a viable
educational institution, neither the Synod of the Sun nor any of
its Trustees, officers, agents, servants, or employees shall be
liable for any of the debts of Austin College; and neither
Austin College nor any of its Trustees, officers, agents,
servants, or employees shall be liable for any of the debts of
the Synod of the Sun or any other obligations or liabilities of
the Synod.
Austin College is governed by a self-perpetuating Board of
Trustees whose obligation is two-fold: 1) to the Charter with
its corporate responsibilities, and 2) to this Covenant.
The Policy Manual of the Board of Trustees contains the
standards for Trustee selection. At least one-half of the Board
of Trustees will be members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A),
with some representation from the Synod of the Sun. In its
process of nominating and electing new Trustees, the Board of
Trustees of Austin College shall notify the Synod of its
selections.
A current copy of the College's Charter, Bylaws, and Policy
Manual of the Board of Trustees shall be on file with the
Synod Executive. Similarly, a current copy of the Standing
Rules and Operating Manual of the Synod shall be on file with
the President of the College.
E.
Review and Renewal Cycle
There shall be a review and, if necessary, revision of
the covenant relationship every six years. The Synod and the
Board of Trustees of the College shall see that such a review is
accomplished through appropriate committees. These committees
shall be appointed by the respective entities. Responsibility
for approval of any change in the covenant resides with the
Board of Trustees and Synod.
The minutes of the Board of Trustees and the independent audit
required by accreditation agencies shall be the responsibility
of the Board of Trustees. The audits and minutes shall be
available for review by the Synod.
III. Mutual Understanding and Commitments
A. Mutual Concern and Support
Both College and Synod shall demonstrate mutual concern
and support for one another. The primary expression of mutual
concern and support shall involve program relationships between
the Synod and the College in which each provides services for
the other.
Continuing communication between the College and the
Synod should be encouraged and maintained.
B. The Role of the College
The College shall be a resource to the Synod and its
constituencies regarding education, the implications of the
development of new knowledge, and the related services of that
development.
The College is free to solicit funds for both capital and
operating expenses from individual Presbyterians and other
persons, congregations, presbyteries, trustees, foundations,
estates, and any other sources. However, the College will
secure from the Synod approval for conducting major capital
campaigns in which the Synod might be expected to have a role in
the organization and promotion through presbyteries and
congregations.
Relevant to the interests of Synod, the College shall maintain a
strong chapel program to provide opportunities for worship, for
application of faith through service to the community, and for
exploring and strengthening faith and values. As part of its
formal approval of this Covenant, the Synod authorizes clergy
representatives of Austin College to celebrate the Sacrament of
the Lord’s Supper in accordance with the Book of Order of
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as part of the Religious Life
Program of the College (see especially Book of Order,
W-2.4012b).
C. The Role of the Synod
The Synod will encourage support of the College by
presbyteries, sessions, and individual Presbyterians within its
bounds:
1.
By presenting to Presbyterian youth the educational
opportunities available at Austin College;
2.
By encouraging use of personnel, students, and facilities
of the College to carry out the mission and work of the Synod;
3.
By providing and encouraging financial support;
4.
By encouraging and interpreting planned giving programs;
5.
By interpreting and advocating the role and programs of
the College through Synod and General Assembly related
foundations and publications; and
6.
By providing direct access to Synod to interpret the work
of the College.
The Synod, through its appropriate agencies and
committees, shall continually rethink its role in higher
education and communicate its concepts, vision, and challenges
to the College. The Synod shall continue to support the
College, its faculty, students, and administration with its
prayers.
D. Authorization of Other Program Relationships
The Synod and the College recognize the advantages of working
relationships between the College and other church governing
bodies not inconsistent with this Covenant. Such relationships
with presbyteries and sessions allow for mutual responsibilities
and resources to be identified and exercised at every level, and
the College may have Statements of Understanding to implement
program relationships with other church governing bodies.
IV. Formal Approval
This document establishes and contains all the terms of
the covenant relationship between the Synod of the Sun and
Austin College. By formal action, the trustees of the College
and the Synod of the Sun adopt this Covenant and pledge
themselves to carry out its provisions.
The original Covenant was
approved by the Austin College Board of Trustees, November
11-12, 1982; by the General Council of the Synod of Red River
and Sun, November 20, 1982; and officially confirmed at the
Meeting of the Synod of the Sun on June 28, 1983. The
fourth
revision was prepared by the
Covenant Review Team, Austin College, Sherman, Texas, on
November 4, 2005
and was approved by the Austin College Board of Trustees
in March 2006
and the Synod of the Sun in
April 2006.
This Covenant shall be reviewed by the Synod and
the College in 2012.
_____________________________
_____________________________
Synod of the
Sun
Austin College
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