Ownership, Support, Government:
The university is owned and operated by Pacific Lutheran University, Inc., a Washington corporation whose purpose is higher learning. The PLU corporation meets annually on the PLU campus to elect regents and to conduct other business. The corporation consists of 125 delegates from the six synods of Region I of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The 37-member Board of Regents includes members of ELCA congregations, representatives from the Alumni Association, at-large members, bishops from the synods of Region I, and the university president.

The policy making and governing body of the University is the Board of Regents. On the basis of recommendations made by the president, it charts a course for the university and strives to provide essential funds. The student body and the faculty have non-voting representatives who meet with the board. The installation of new Board of Regents Officers occurs each October. The Board of Regents for the Academic Year of 2011-12 will be installed in October 2011.