[ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 7/3/02 ]
Life U founder vacates office; mum on status 
By MARY MACDONALD 
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer 
A sign on the Sid Williams executive suite read: "Moving to the Chancellor 
Office." The bronze bust, portrait and other shrines to the president and founder 
of Life University had been removed from the administration building. And 
trustees were meeting to discuss appointing an interim president.
All were signs indicating Tuesday that Williams had resigned as president 
from the university he started 28 years ago.
But no one wanted to discuss that.
Particularly not Williams.
Reached in Florida, Williams confirmed he was moving into the chancellor's 
office but when asked if had resigned, he said: "I can't make a statement on 
that. I'm not authorized to make a statement like that."
His wife, Nell, an administrator at the university, said a statement from the 
school would be coming soon, but she didn't want to comment further.
An executive committee of the 14-member board of trustees is expected to 
continue its meeting Wednesday and issue a statement before the holiday 
weekend.
"I know they're considering an interim president," said Don Parkerson, a trustee 
from Eatonton. "It could come as soon as this week." 
The executive committee has authority to appoint an interim president, said 
trustee Lee Scroggins of Smyrna. The board wants chiropractic students 
returning to the summer session on Monday to understand what steps are 
being taken to restore accreditation, he said.
"There are a number of options we're pursuing," Scroggins said. "A lot of those 
will come to fruition this week. The board will be able to make some statement 
that will have some weight to it. There will be a plan in place before the 
students come back."
While Williams' resignation as president wouldn't be unexpected, the timing 
might be.
The chiropractic program at Life -- which accounts for about 80 percent of its 
students -- lost accreditation last month, putting the university's future in 
question. The Council on Chiropractic Education cited four problem areas, 
including the number and stability of faculty in the university's public clinics, and 
its planning and assessment efforts.
Williams, 74, announced last month that he would resign as president in 
March, but that his plans to leave had nothing to do with the school's troubles.
Williams has said that when he steps down as president, he will relinquish all 
day-to-day operations of the school.
Last week, after a board meeting, Williams said he didn't feel like he was being 
made to leave. 
"I don't feel like I'm being forced out," he said. "I am going to be the chancellor."
The executive suite, which includes offices for Williams family members who 
occupy administrative posts, was closed for a time Tuesday afternoon. Moving 
boxes were stacked near the entrance. By mid-afternoon, boxes were being 
moved into a car. Kim Williams, the president's daughter, took some materials 
with her.
Parkerson said it is disappointing that Williams will be transitioning out of the 
presidency following the loss of the school's accreditation. 
"He's definitely done a lot for our profession," the trustee said. "In a way it is 
kind of sad. For a person who has worked so hard and given his whole life to 
something, it seems unfair."
News researcher Nisa Asokan contributed to this report.