Students seem unimpressed as options 
outlined

MARIETTA ã The remaining students at Life University didn¼t 
respond with much enthusiasm  
10/25/02

Alison Heinz
MDJ Staff Writer
 
MARIETTA ã The remaining students at Life University didn¼t 
respond with much enthusiasm to Thursday morning¼s address from 
school leaders.
Sensing the resentment of the students, Dr. Mamie Ware, vice 
president of academic affairs, told the audience to be respectful of 
the speakers.
Life security guards were present in the auditorium.
Although the event was billed as an address to students by Life¼s 
interim president Dr. Michael Schmidt, he did not talk to the crowd. 
Some members of the board of trustees also sat in the center of the 
school¼s now-vacant basketball auditorium with the other speakers.
Dr. Ron Oberstein, a chiropractor from San Diego and lecturer on 
chiropractic principles and philosophy, spoke to the students to 
remind them of why they chose chiropractic in the first place.
When he first addressed the audience, he asked them to lighten up.
„Geez. I feel like I¼m at a funeral,¾ he said.
„You are,¾ replied someone from the audience.
Oberstein continued, „Regardless of whether you go or stay & 
chiropractic is one of the greatest things in my life.¾
He asked the students if they still had their passion.
„Are you in this for the long haul?¾ he said. „I¼ve worked with these 
gentlemen (Schmidt and the board members) and I know where 
their hearts are.¾
Oberstein¼s speech was peppered with pauses meant to elicit 
applause but only received only a smattering of support.
He told them that, although things don¼t look too bright at the 
moment, this will pass.
„Someone once told me that today¼s news is just tomorrow¼s kitty 
litter liner,¾ he said.
The response from students in the audience was subdued.
When leaving, a student in her 13th quarter said, „I¼m just ready to 
get out of here.¾
„This was weak,¾ said a 12th-quarter student who did not wish to 
give his name. „I¼m transferring.¾
Acting Dean Dr. Debra Pogrelis told students what they could expect 
during the next 14 months as they await re-accreditation.
According to information handed out at the address, the university 
is also conducting a self-study, required by the CCE before 
accreditation is possible. The self-study will aim to provide clear 
evidence that the chiropractic program is in compliance with CCE 
standards. Students were encouraged to sign up for committees to 
be a part of the examination process.
Dr. Pogrelis said that Life is still eligible for all federal financial aid 
programs. 
„We are still fully able to run teaching clinics under a state licensed 
chiropractor,¾ said Dr. Pogrelis.
Students arriving at the basketball auditorium on campus walked 
past workers installing Christmas lights for the upcoming Lights of 
Life celebration. The school ended official funding for the massive 
light show in July, but donations should provide the $300,000 cost 
of the event. The lights will be unveiled on Nov. 23.
In June, the CCE stripped Life of its chiropractic accreditation for a 
variety of infractions including: failing to maintain a comprehensive 
and ongoing system of evaluation and planning; failing to establish 
instructional objectives; failing to demonstrate adequacy and 
stability of basic and clinical sciences, faculty and staff.
The decision of the CCE forced the administration to make executive 
changes, including the resignation of Williams and his family.
Life saw its student enrollment drop about 1,200 students ã 38 
percent ã from fall 2001 to this fall 2002 and is expecting winter 
enrollment to drop even further.
In xxx, the university ended its Athletics program ‚ including their 
basketball team which had won three national championships ã in 
a bid to save money.
Life University was founded in 1974 by Williams as Life College.