Authority and Governance

Kenrick School of Theology derives its rights, responsibilities, and powers from its articles of incorporation and bylaws, and from its ecclesiastical authorization as an institution of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. On this basis, it maintains the legal and moral authority to establish and operate educational programs, to confer certificates or degrees, to provide for personnel and facilities, and to assure institutional quality and integrity.

The structure and scope of this authority is based on the relationship of Kenrick to the Archdiocese. The articles of incorporation and bylaws of the seminary establish a Board of Directors and a Board of Trustees with specific authority for maintaining the integrity and vitality of the school. Trustees are chosen on the basis of qualifications appropriate to the task they will undertake, with a specific view towards diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, profession, and educational background.

The Board of Directors appoints the chief administrative leadership and the faculty of the seminary. The Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees jointly confer degrees, enter into contracts, approve budgets, and manage the assets of the seminary. The Boards in turn delegate authority to the administration and faculty of the seminary to fulfill their respective roles and responsibilities.

The Administration of Kenrick School of Theology is responsible for achieving the school’s purpose by developing and implementing institutional policies and administrative structures in cooperation with the Board of Trustees, the faculty, the students, the administrative staff, and other constituencies. It reflects the shared values of the greater Kenrick community in the management of resources, in communication with constituencies, and in evaluation and planning. Responsibilities and structures of accountability are clearly defined in a set of administrative position descriptions.