[ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 6/23/02 ] Founder now problem to some at Life University By MARY MacDONALD Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer Kimberly Smith / AJC Sid Williams' style caused the school's crisis, say ex-faculty, students. Sid Williams founded Life University as a college with 22 students, and shepherded its growth over three decades as it became the country's largest chiropractic school. But like many great entrepreneurs, Williams didn't know when to let go, say former faculty and students, who find the roots of the school's accreditation crisis in his controlling management style. Two accrediting agencies that oversee the university and its chiropractic program each criticized his authority to make decisions that normally would fall to administrators or academic deans. A Council on Chiropractic Education site team in April 2001 found most changes in the chiropractic program required his direct approval, delaying decisions for months. It included a suggestion that Williams delegate authority in a report that cited 11 deficiencies. As recently as April -- 10 months after the program was placed on probation -- three problems remained. The council cited insufficient faculty in public clinics to provide adequate patient care and student instruction, and a concern that students were unable to diagnose patients with anything that might require more than a spinal adjustment. Three months after its latest site review, the chiropractic council revoked the accreditation of Life's largest program. University officials continue to say the decision took them by surprise. Those statements anger students and alumni, who say the problems were clearly specified and should have been corrected. "A lot of people had faith in the administration," said Akiba Green, a student from Gainesville, Fla. "We feel, basically, taken advantage of." Williams did not respond to a request for an interview. He said recently he plans to step down from daily oversight of the university and its chiropractic college next March. Last week, he told graduates the loss of accreditation was "not a war against Life University. It's a war against chiropractic." Former faculty and alumni, and some students, say the leadership is shifting blame. Another accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, issued a public warning in December after reviewing the university's operations. That agency, which cited problems with preparation of faculty, financial stability and management, will revisit the university in December. SACS accredits the entire university. The chiropractic council oversees the largest degree program at Life, the reason the university was established. Careers left in jeopardy| "They should have had that [accreditation] back within six months," said Paul Lapides, a former member of the business faculty, now a professor at Kennesaw State University. "To say 'We're going to fight this,' is kind of like saying, 'I'm not going to do my homework, but I'm going to sue you to get an A.' What the accrediting body wants is very reasonable." The chiropractic program lost its accreditation June 10 after a year of probation, jeopardizing the future careers of about 2,600 students. Accreditation continues while the university appeals the decision. But the appeal will be decided by the same agency that stripped the school of accreditation. And it is likely to extend accreditation only through November. If students graduate from a university that has lost accreditation, they cannot take the national board exams required for a license in any state. And students can transfer only credits that were earned while the college had accreditation. Students already have begun meeting with attorneys individually and collectively, asking about options for recouping tuition and other expenses should the school fail to regain its accreditation. Tuition for the nearly four-year program is approximately $58,000. Other students have transferred to chiropractic schools without accreditation problems, or are planning to. "I have friends who have already packed up; they've left," said Green, who expects to graduate in September 2003. "They're afraid they're going to have to transfer anyway." Although Williams has spoken to the board of trustees and the university faculty about the possibility of merging or partnering with another chiropractic college, which could extend its accreditation to the students who remain at Life, this action has not been discussed with parents or students. It also would require the chiropractic council's approval. Ron Schuster, whose son, Marcus, is a third-year chiropractic student at Life, said this week he will give the university a month to come up with a solution. If not, his son will transfer. "The investment the students and the parents have made has not been put in good stewardship," Schuster said. "The man who runs this school, Dr. Williams, he's a legend. Why he has allowed what happened to happen, we will never know. To me, it is an investment gone bad, and you have to take options." The potential for an exodus comes after years of declining enrollment. The program lost 20 percent of its students from 1997 to 2000, according to reports sent by the university to the accrediting council. The loss of students has put the university under financial strain. Losing students, money| Reports filed with the chiropractic council show Life operated at losses of $2.3 million in 1999 and $1.7 million in 2000. The university initiated various budget cuts in 2001, including a layoff of administrative staff, and ended that year with a modest surplus, the reports show. The university leadership needs to tell students exactly what is planned if the appeal fails, said Green, who signed a petition that calls for the resignation of Williams and his administrative staff, including various family members in top positions. Williams, 74, earned $355,502 in salary and $327,479 in benefits in the fiscal year ended September 2000, according to Internal Revenue Service documents. His wife, Nell, the vice president for student affairs, earned $103,500 in salary and $250,925 in benefits. Her sister, Mildred Kimbrough, an assistant vice president, earned a $93,150 salary that year, the documents show. Peter Scire, a student from North Carolina scheduled to graduate in December, organized the petition drive. He said he and other students collected about 250 signatures before the summer break. Students want some assurance the school is going to remain open and accredited, Scire said, perhaps through a partnership with another chiropractic school. "Students want to know if they're coming back to Life University July 8, or if they're coming back to mass chaos," said Scire. -- Staff writer Michael Kolber contributed to this article.