[ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 6/26/02 ]
Life plans to team with chiropractic school 
By MARY MACDONALD 
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer 
Life University trustees voted Tuesday to pursue an agreement with another 
chiropractic college in a bid to ensure that its students in Marietta graduate 
from an accredited school. 
The board wants more information from two schools it is considering joining 
with: Life Chiropractic College West and Cleveland Chiropractic College. The 
board also will seek feedback from the Council on Chiropractic Education, said 
newly elected chairman Charles Ribley.
The accrediting agency on June 10 revoked the accreditation of Life University's 
chiropractic program.
The board also announced it is moving to replace Life founder and president 
Sid Williams, who has said he plans to leave the presidency in March 2003. 
Williams said that he might leave the presidency sooner. "It could be quicker 
than that if we find someone we like, who can oversee the complexity of the 
operation," he said. A presidential search committee of the 14-member board 
is developing criteria for candidates.
Williams, 74, plans to become chancellor, which will relieve his oversight of 
daily operations. He said he was disappointed his planned exit follows the loss 
of accreditation. "I've had some ... defeats in life. This is one of the more bitter of 
those, because it comes from my colleagues, the chiropractors," Williams said.
The board decision to seek an agreement with an accredited chiropractic 
school comes as a backup to an earlier plan to appeal the revocation. The 
appeal, which is still being pursued, should continue accreditation to Life's 
2,600 chiropractic students through November.
Williams said he wanted the partnership to be with Life West, which has close 
ties to the Marietta university because it is led by Gerard Clum, one of Life 
University's founding faculty. Life West, located in Hayward, Calif., operates 
independently of Life University and is accredited. Clum attended the board 
meeting Tuesday. 
Ribley, the board chairman, said both Cleveland Chiropractic and Life West are 
potential partners. Cleveland has campuses in Los Angeles and Kansas City, 
Mo. Its representatives spoke to board members Monday, Ribley said.
The structure of an agreement has not been decided. But trustees and 
Williams said it could require Life students to graduate with a degree from the 
partnering school. It also could mean administrators from the partnering 
school would run the program at Life.
As chairman, Ribley replaces Rebecca Ray, a longtime trustee who resigned 
Friday. Ribley is a founding board member from Trenton, Mich. The board will 
meet again once it gains more information from the other colleges and the 
accrediting agency, he said.
"What we are doing right now is assuring the continuity of the education of the 
students," he said.