[ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 10/21/02 ] FORUM: Life University Cobb How will Life University's loss of its chiropractic accreditation affect you? Describe the school's impact in the Marietta community and, depending on whether the university can be re-accreditated, what the loss of accreditation could mean to students, the school and Cobb County. What do you think the school can do to keep students? Previous forums ------------------------------------------------------------------------ READERS REPLY Life needs a new curriculum and focus The only hope for Life is to start with a clean slate -- new name, a new board of trustees, a new president and administration of non-Sid Williams personnel, and a new curriculum and mission to produce competent primary care chiropractors. Plus, the Georgia Board of Chiropractic Examiners needs to implement an after-Life license renewal program to retrain those Life grads who suffer from the outdated ideology of Williams that renounces diagnostics, renounces anything-medical, and renounces comprehensive chiropractic care as taught at the better chiropractic colleges. -- Dr. J.C. Smith, Warner Robins ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Students: Hang onto your dreams I am the wife of a 11th quarter student who has given his all to gain as much knowledge as he could to be the best Chiropractor he can be. He has sacficed everything to move here trying to make a better future for his family. How can a school who had 2 years to make these changes let this happen? Our goals and dreams put on hold for at least a year maybe longer. We have children so we can't just jump up and move around the country without reguard to them and their feelings. To the rest of the students I say good luck in whatever decisions they make and don't give up. Hang on to your dream. -- Pam Campbell, Staunton, Va. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Licensed chiropractors meet standards, provide valuable service I've noted that in all of the reports of the school and what is currently wrong with their program is there no emphasis to reassure the public that all currently licensed Doctors of Chiropractic, no matter what school they went to, have received an accredited education and have passed national licensing examinations. With most of the chiropractors in the Metro Atlanta area having received an education from Life University, I'm sure that the one-sided slants that the news media is known for, is not only hurting their businesses, but discouraging Atlantans from receiving the proper health care that they need. -- Dr. Chris Andreone, Athens ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Our family will have to sell our house and relocate I am the daughter of a chiropractor and the wife of a 13th-quarter student who has given his heart and soul to helping those in need. It is quite disapointing to see your loved one's dreams shattered by the greed and selfishness of the Williams family. I am a strong supporter of chiropractic. I am dissapointed in CCE's decision to revoke the accredidation. I, like many others, will have to relocate, thus selling my home, leaving my job, and disrupting the life of my newborn son. This is nothing compared to the disapointment my husband is facing. Our life's goals will now be postponed for an additional year at the least. Instead of potentially graduating in March 2003, the earliest will now be March 2004, due to the 25% transfer requirements to graduate from a new college. The community in Cobb County will also feel the residual effects of this decision. I can only imagine all the financial hardships that will filter down. I wish all those who are effected by this decision the best of luck. -- Megan Protz, Smyrna ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Loss of accreditation is a big blow and doesn't make sense As a December 1999 graduate from Life University, I feel horrified and sucker- punched! I am in tears. I cannot possibly imagine what the student body is experiencing right now. It is difficult to understand how the Council on Chiropractic Education can make such a highly impactful decision on a school that has produced the most purposeful and equipped doctors in this profession. The bureaucratic and political hogwash between the University and the CCE must change for the benefit of the students, alumni and the people. I am proud of the education I received at Life. The clinical environment was extremely rigorous and highly supervised. I'd like to know specifically what the CCE is referring to here. In the meantime, I possess a diploma from a school that may fall to red tape and shameful banter. Life University will survive this mess. I wish everyone involved my support and love. Chiropractic is bigger than ever! Let's get to work and make a greater difference to our communities as we have for over 107 years! -- Christine Kaczmar, D.C., Hampton, N.H. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ School had time to meet the standards Isn't it a shame that with two years to correct the problems the university, headed by Dr. Williams until July, could not meet the standards of other existing chiropractic colleges? I graduated in September of this year and, fortunately, my diploma is "good." -- Dr. Monty Benton, Fort Worth, Texas ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Still believes chiropractic a valuable skill While the decision to deny the appeal at Life University is saddening, it cannot be suprising. When CCE pulled the school's accreditation in June, they made a decision that the education of my peers and I was not at the quality level that they deemed essential to become doctors of chiropractic in today's society. This decision was decided on not only due to problems in oversight of the education program, but also a complete and utter lack of disregard for proper administrative and educational procedures, with the administration perpetuating an environment of mistrust and not one of a higher-education learning institution. I feel for those people who were naive enough to not look at the possibilities that are now upon us. But our education will continue either here in the distant future or more likely at other chiropractic schools where a majority of us will still become chiropractors with the express purpose of making people's lives better through a unique approach to quality health care that no other health profession professes: Removing the stresses on the body that allow it to heal itself. Myself: I'm out 6 months of tuition and living expenses, moving expenses, lost income, my wife has to find a new job when we relocate and the list goes on and on. But it's a small price to pay for the knowledge that I will get my degree and be able to practice chiropractic and help people. Best wishes to everyone who is out there at Life and elsewhere who is negatively affected. -- Akiba Green, Gainesville, Fla. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Angry that changes weren't made by school This decision has had an impact on my family in many ways. I am angry because I believe my two sons have been attending this school for 3 years in good faith that they would recieve a quality education. The school, Sid WIlliams, board of directors and trustees have obviously made serious mistakes in the governace of the school and therefore many people are now effected. How can this be saved, I do not know... I am angry and upset that all the people in charge of that school did not make the necessary moves when they had the chance. -- Kathryn M. Blackburn, Lakeland, Fl.