From: t_langle@bellsouth.net (Dr. Tim Langley) Mr. John Barth, Director Chief, Accrediting Agency Evaluation Accreditation and State Liaison U.S. Department of Education 1990 K Street, NW, #7105 Washington, DC 20006-8509 Re: Council on Chiropractic Education Mr. Barth: Ms. Bonnie LeBold, Executive Director of the NACIQI asked me to send this letter to you. I thank you in advance for your consideration. The purpose of this letter is to request an investigation into the Council on Chiropractic Education's recent action against Life University College of Chiropractic in Marietta, Georgia and an inquiry as to whether the CCE should retain its status as the only accrediting agency for the chiropractic profession without making significant changes in its structure and scope. On June 10, 2002, the CCE's Commission on Accreditation revoked the accreditation status of Life University College of Chiropractic in Marietta, Georgia. While I understand it is within the purview of any accrediting agency to do so under extreme circumstances, it is not readily apparent that such a drastic and draconian action is warranted in this particular case. As a taxpayer, licensed chiropractor trained at that institution and concerned citizen, I hereby request that the CCE and its Commission on Accreditation be investigated for abuse of power, conflicts of interest (specifically in the Life University action and beyond) and attempting to force Life University to violate the laws of the state under which it is chartered. Because of the severe impact on the 2600 students enrolled at Life University, as well as the local and state economy, it is appropriate that the Department of Education force CCE to reverse its action against Life University until said investigation can be conducted. There are several reasons that mandate a temporary reversal of this action. * Significant conflicts of interest are apparent in the COA's action against LUCC. Specifically, recruitment of LUCC's student by a school (Texas Chiropractic College) represented by COA the very day the action was announced. That school's representative bought dinner for over 100 Life U. students within just two miles of Life's campus. * One of the reasons cited for the COA's action would require a direct violation of Georgia law governing the scope of chiropractic practice and prohibitions on the practice of medicine without a license. A proposed change in Georgia law was overwhelmingly defeated during the most recent legislative session. Requiring LUCC to knowingly violate the law in order to adhere to CCE's guidelines is inappropriate, unreasonable and unethical. * CCE's original charter allowed for each school accredited by its COA to be represented. LUCC, the largest school in the profession is not represented, whatsoever. * There is NO consensus in the chiropractic profession for many of the changes being imposed on member institutions, especially several of those for which LUCC is being sanctioned. IN addition for those specific reasons for reversing this action and conducting an investigation into inappropriate behavior on behalf of the CCE and its COA, the following points indicate a disturbing disparity in the balance of power between the CCE, its members and the profession at large. * Life University is the largest chiropractic teaching institution in the world, having graduated over 10,000 doctors of chiropractic since its founding in 1974. One COA member school voting to revoke LUCC's accreditation has graduated fewer chiropractors in its entire 12 year existence than LUCC does each and every quarter. If anything Life University should be helping to set standards for teaching future chiropractors. * LUCC is a respected corporate citizen in this community and state with a potential loss of 500 jobs, at least $100 million in economic activity and the disruption of the lives of over 2500 students and their families. * LUCC provides research for the World Health Organization, as well as the chiropractic profession as a whole. Its clinics were used as a model in developing the profession's Part IV National Board Exam. * LUCC has made significant efforts to recruit minority students and has a minority enrollment twice that of any other school accredited by CCE. The appearance of racial and ethnic bias among the CCE and as a result of its action, although subtle, is apparent. For all the reasons stated above and due to the severe impact on LUCC's students, faculty and staff, community and state, it is appropriate for the Department of Education to involve itself directly in the CCE's action against Life University. A new COA comprised of a representative of each school under CCE's purview should be appointed to review LUCC's accreditation. In the meantime, Life University's accreditation status should be reinstated until such an investigation and rehearing is completed. Only then can all member schools AND the profession be assured of the integrity of the accreditation process. The lives of hundreds of students, faculty, staff and practitioners, as well as the local and state economy, are being adversely affected every day this matter goes unresolved. Thank you for your consideration and immediate attention to this matter. Tim Langley, D.C. Vinings Chiropractic 3599 Atlanta Road, Suite A-9 Smyrna, GA 30080 678-842-9911 FAX: 678-842-9922 drtim@viningschiropractic.com www.viningschiropractic.com