Letter to Former Life University Students, Alumni and Concerned Individuals Webpage: www.life.edu FAQ's for Students Interested in Returning From Dr. John Downes, DC, Acting Dean College of Chiropractic Dear Students, former students, alumni and concerned individuals: Many changes are taking place at Life University and within the College of Chiropractic. I would like you to know about them. First and foremost is our commitment to students. Second is enhancement of the clinic experience, third is curriculum design and improvement, and fourth is the delayed option for late enrollment.. So let me begin with first things first. 'Service to students' is our commitment to you that you are the most important part of Life University. Without you, we have no reason to exist as an institution of higher education. To that end, if you have some general questions, please click on Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) or if you have a specific topic, please click on the following directory: Student Life (housing or student activities) Financial Aid (student loans, cost of attendance & relocation) Registrar Student Accounting College of Chiropractic (Clinics)Second, changes within the Clinic system: The new Chief of Staff of Clinics is Dr. Cynthia Boyd. She is facilitating the successful implementation of a new Faculty Based Teaching Model. This model provides for continuity of care and development of management protocols benefiting both students and patients. We are planning to phase out our current Roswell Street (in the near future) and Luckie Street facilities (Before Spring '03), yet maintain a downtown experience through alternative multiple sites. Meanwhile, the Main Outpatient Clinic on campus is undergoing renovation in preparation for operations. This facility will service entry level students, as well as, upper quarter. These decisions are designed to maximize the learning experience and demonstrate fiscal responsibility. Third is curriculum design, which simply means creating a better sequencing of courses and clinic experience to maximize your opportunity for success on National Boards, licensure and practice. Fourth, all returning students are expected to begin classes on March 31st. An exception will be granted ONLY to students returning from a trimester system institution. Such students will be required to begin classes on April 20th. Those individuals will be able to make up course work and return to a regular course load by May 5th. Finally, let me assure you the principles which are the underpinnings of Life will remain intact and supported through a dynamic educational experience designed to produce leaders in our profession. If this letter has not answered your questions, please send me a note or email with your specific question and I will respond within 48 hours. I am privileged to serve you as the acting Dean of the College of Chiropractic and look forward to hearing from you in the future. John W. Downes, DC Frequently Asked Questions of Students Interested in Returning to Life University: Question #1 What steps should I take to be readmitted to Life University? All returning students must complete a readmission form ( via on-line, fax or mail) If you are a returning student who is not on probation and do not have an outstanding accounting balance, your readmission form will be processed within two business days and you will be cleared for registration. If you are a returning student who was on probation or has an outstanding accounting balance, your admittance will be referred to a readmission committee for review. Upon review, you will be contacted within three business days with a decision regarding your readmission. Pre-registration begins March 10, 2003 Spring 2003 Quarterly Online Readmission Form Readmission Form in PDF format Question #2 Can I transfer credits from my current institution to Life University? Students returning to Life University COC (in 12th qtr. and above) can not receive additional transfer credit from their recently departed institutions. To give credit would be a violation of a CCE standard known as the "last 25%" rule of eligibility for graduating students. This also applies for clinic credits. If a student has not yet completed 260 credit hours (approx. 11th qtr.) at Life University, COC, individual consideration for transfer credit can still be made (not to exceed a combined Life and subsequent institutional enrollment of 260 credit hours). Question # 3 Can I take more than 25 credit hours per quarter? The normal course load is 25 credits per quarter for students in good standing or 31 credits per quarter for students of good academic standing and with CUM GPA 2.50. Any student requesting an exception to these policies must petition the Acting Dean of College of Chiropractic and Director of Clinics for up to 36 hours total. A one-time mini clinic practicum from June 16 to July 3rd, may allow for the accumulation of 6 additional clinic hours (Clinic 5214). If the petition as noted above is obtained, a signed contract of activity will be required, and a required status update meeting with the Acting Dean of COC during the 6th week of the quarter will be scheduled. Question # 4 How do I re-enter Clinic? All returning students wishing to register and participate in Clinic Practicum (or Multiple Clinic) must attend a re-entry orientation and possible testing (depending on last Practicum activity) for explanation of recent Clinic operational changes both functionally and academically. (Some of this information is briefly explained in the Spring 2003 quarterly, pages 65-67). If you have not been enrolled in Clinic for 2 or more quarters, you will be required to pass a re-entry exam before the Registrar will register you for Clinic. Re-entry exams may be scheduled by calling the Roswell Street Clinic at 770- 792-6100. (Ask to speak to Dr. Steve Mirtschink.) If you have not been enrolled in Clinic for 4 or more quarters, you will need to schedule an appointment with the Chief of Staff of Clinics at 770-426-2645 (Dr. Cynthia Boyd) for re-entry requirements. You may be required to complete additional course work that has been added to the curriculum and/ or repeat previous course work for review. You will be required to meet current clinical graduation requirements. Question #5 What Financial Aid options are available to returning students? In order to provide consistent treatment of all financial aid applicants, this office will process student eligibility based on general Costs of Attendance. Special circumstances such as: Childcare costs Medical/Vehicle allowances Additional qualifying expenses (e.g. purchase of materials or supplies, personal computer, relocation costs) All special circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Question # 6 What housing options are available for returning students? We realize that many of our returning students will not want to commit to a 12- month lease. In order to assist you in locating short-term housing we are providing the following information. Life University offers on campus living at "The Commons". We offer 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments. As of March 3, 2003, students have rented all the available 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. We do have several 3 bedroom units available. In addition we have numerous roommate openings within the 2 and 3 bedroom units that are already occupied. The Commons office staff will be placing individuals into available units on a first-come-first serve basis. Click here for the Housing Application (in PDF format). We are encouraging current residents with a vacancy in their unit to add their name to the roommate listing. We hope that by contacting these individuals directly you will find a compatible roommate. The Office of Student Life (formerly Student Affairs) publishes a weekly Roommate Listing. This list is updated each Monday at 9:00am and is available online in PDF format. To assist you in your search we have also compiled a list of numerous apartment complexes in the Marietta vicinity. See the Housing List for pricing, length of lease and other details. We are exploring the possibility of making arrangements with local hotels for short term housing needs. When these arrangements are confirmed, we will place the details on this site. If this is an option you wish to pursue, please indicate this to us via email. If you have any questions or concerns, please e- mail the Office of Student Life or phone the office at 770-426-2760 or 1-800- 543-4960. If you have questions regarding "The Commons", the phone number for the office is 770-794-3098. Welcome back! Sue Dudt Director of Student Life Copyright © 2003 Life University All Rights Reserved