June 10, 2002
Dr. Sid E. Williams, President
Life University College of Chiropractic
1269 Barclay Circle
Marietta, Georgia 30060
Dear Dr. Williams:
On June 7, 2002 the Commission on Accreditation (COA) of the
Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) met with you and other
representatives of Life University College of Chiropractic (LUCC) in
a status review meeting further to consider the application for
reaffirmation of accreditation as submitted by LUCC. COA actions
previous to this meeting included imposition of a sanction of
Probation, and deferral of a decision for the maximum allowable
time period of one year, regarding the LUCC application for
reaffirmation of accreditation. In addition to its review of all
materials related to previous COA considerations and actions in this
matter, the COA conducted this status review meeting to provide an
opportunity for LUCC representatives to present reasons why the
COA should not take further adverse action, and to provide
opportunity for LUCC representatives to answer questions from the
COA regarding ongoing and outstanding concerns. Subsequent to that
meeting, the COA met in executive session and reached a consensus
decision regarding the LUCC application for reaffirmation of
accreditation. The COA decision is to deny reaffirmation of
accreditation for LUCC. This decision constitutes revocation of
accredited status with the COA. The COA decision is based on the
following Criteria for Accreditation, as embodied in the January
2000 publication of The Council on Chiropractic Education
Commission on Accreditation Standards for Chiropractic Programs
and Institutions (Standards), with which LUCC is in noncompliance:
II. Assessment and Planning
Each program or institution must maintain a comprehensive and
ongoing system of evaluation and planning, and must demonstrate its
effectiveness in achieving its mission, goals and objectives.
V. Mission Elements
A. D.C. Degree Program (including clinical experiences)
1. Objectives
Each program or institution must establish instructional objectives
that support its mission and goals. Instruction leading to the doctor
of chiropractic degree must meet the following requirements:
The curriculum must be designed and implemented in a manner in
which students are able to integrate relevant information presented
in the basic, clinical and chiropractic sciences with the clinical,
laboratory and patient care experiences in clinical decision making.
V. Mission Elements
A. D.C. Degree Program
3. Inputs
b. Faculty/Staff
Programs and institutions must demonstrate adequacy and stability
of basic and clinical sciences faculty and staff. The faculty and
staff volume, variety and qualifications must be appropriate to the
mission, goals and program objectives of the program or institution.
V. Mission Elements
A. D.C. Degree Program
4. Outcomes
The quantitative clinic requirements will not be the sole criteria
used to assess the programÅs or institutionÅs success in educating
a student to practice the art and science of chiropractic. Upon
completing his or her course of study, each student must
demonstrate proficiency in the following competencies note: see
Clinical Competencies for Chiropractic Programs and Institutions]
consistent with the "Foreword" of the CCE Standards for Programs
and Institutions. In addition to the above, an important consideration
has been failure on the part of the LUCC administration and board of
trustees to establish and maintain an environment appropriate for
education and employment. COA has determined that there is
compelling reason for immediate public disclosure of this decision
and, in accordance with the CCE Standards, the COA directly will
notify the United States Secretary of Education, the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools, other appropriate accrediting
agencies, jurisdictional chiropractic licensing boards, the public,
and other relevant parties.
Revocation of accreditation constitutes an adverse not take effect
until the time period for filing an appeal has expired or until final
action has been taken on any such appeal. Should LUCC choose to file
such an appeal, written notice must be made either in person or via
certified mail to the CCE Executive Vice-President not later than 30
days following the postmark date of this letter. Such notice of
intent to appeal must be the official action taken by the governing
body of the institution of which LUCC is a part. A more detailed
procedure regarding the steps to be followed in the appeal process
may be found in CCE Policy COA-8, a copy of which is attached.
Should LUCC choose to pursue reinstatement of its accredited status
with the COA, the program must follow the process for initial
accreditation as outlined in the current CCE Standards. If you have
questions regarding this matter or if we can provide clarifying
assistance, please contact the COA through the Chair or through the
CCE Executive Vice-President, Dr. Paul D. Walker.
Sincerely,
Dr. Brimhall's signature was affixed when this Joseph Brimhall, D.C.
Chair, Commission on Accreditation
Enclosures: CCE Policy COA 8
CCE Standards for Doctor of Chiropractic Programs and Institutions:
January 2002
Members the CCE Commission on Accreditation
Dr. Paul D. Walker, Executive Vice President