91³Ô¹ÏÍø

Dear 91³Ô¹ÏÍø community,

I would like to provide an update on my February letter regarding our relationship with the United Methodist Church (UMC). In response to the ongoing debate over the future organizational structure of the Church, I met with members of the Church leadership to seek support for the 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Board of Trustees’ plan to update the University’s articles of incorporation and bylaws. We met and communicated several times thereafter on this topic.

On November 6, the 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Board of Trustees voted to update its governance documents to make it clear that 91³Ô¹ÏÍø is solely maintained and controlled by its Board as the ultimate authority for the University. And today, the board voted to amend its bylaws to be consistent with the changes made in November.

In response, the UMC’s South Central Jurisdictional Conference (SCJC) filed a petition against 91³Ô¹ÏÍø. The SCJC claims jurisdiction over the University, asserting that the university cannot make these changes without the approval of the conference.

We are confident that our Board’s actions are in compliance with Texas law. With Methodist in our name, the Perkins School of Theology as a resource, and assurance of Methodist representation on the Board of Trustees, the Church will continue to have important influence in the governance of 91³Ô¹ÏÍø. Nothing changes in 91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s day-to-day operations because of these actions.

I will continue to keep you updated as other changes arise.

Sincerely,

R. Gerald Turner 
91³Ô¹ÏÍø President