Enrollment at Life falls 38 percent 
 
10/05/02
By Phillip Giltman
Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer
MARIETTA ã While wading through its accreditation crisis, Life 
University saw its fall-quarter student enrollment drop 38 percent 
compared with last year¼s figures.
Life spokesman Will Hurst announced Friday that 1,955 students 
enrolled at Life this fall. The school had 3,171 students enroll last 
fall ã 
a loss of 1,216 
students.
The drop represents a loss of more than $5 million with each 
student paying an average of $4,400.
Despite the steady decrease in student enrollment from quarter to 
quarter, Life officials said they are content with the results and 
don¼t plan any more reductions in staff.
In August, Life laid off 49 employees, nearly 10 percent of its entire 
personnel, to compensate for the loss of tuition.
„Recent budget and staff reductions have enabled the university to 
focus resources on academic programs and student services,¾ Life¼s 
interim President Michael Schmidt said Friday. „It¼s no secret our 
budget and staffing needs are dictated by enrollment figures and 
reductions are ongoing.¾
This summer, Life enrolled 2,392 students compared to 2,879 
students in summer of 2001, before Life was stripped of its 
chiropractic accreditation in June.
Hurst said approximately 250 students graduated after this year¼s 
summer quarter, with 68 new students enrolling at the school.
„I am grateful for the students¼ commitment and Life¼s faculty, staff, 
administration and board are equally dedicated to continued 
improvements,¾ Schmidt said.
Schmidt said one concern Life faces is retaining students as the 
institution awaits the Council on Chiropractic Education¼s 
monumental decision on the status of Life¼s chiropractic 
accreditation. A decision could come as soon as Oct. 20, according 
to Life.
„We have a laser focus on improving Life¼s collegiate experience,¾ 
he said. „The highest priority is being given to academic programs 
and student services.¾
Trustee Dr. James Sigafoose, of Maryland, said he was very pleased 
with the turnout.
„It¼s more than we expected,¾ he said. „My count was 1,800, so I 
think we are on the right track.¾
Newly-appointed trustee Dr. Thomas Klapp, of Michigan, said the 
large number of students shows the faith they have in the 
administration in regaining accreditation.
„We are pleased the students have decided to hang in there as we 
work on getting our accreditation back,¾ he said. „Because we will 
get this problem resolved.¾
Hurst said academic and student services around campus have 
changed in which the school has introduced a 12-quarter Honors 
program for students enrolled in the chiropractic program.
„It will provide students in their 13 and 14 quarters a 50 percent 
reduction in tuition, and students currently in 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th 
quarter may be able to opt into the Honors program,¾ he said.
Hurst said additional changes include enhanced clinical proficiency 
testing, more accessible administration and faculty, physiological 
therapeutics available on campus and a National Board Review 
course offered at a reduced cost for students.
pgiltman@mdjonline.com