Founder of Life U considers merger Goal is to restore lost accreditation Mary Macdonald and Doug Payne - Staff Wednesday, June 19, 2002 Life University founder and President Sid Williams is considering a merger that could turn over the daily operation of the chiropractic program to another school. Williams discussed the option with Life's board members Friday, then told the school's faculty Tuesday. Both times he said the merger was one of the options the school was looking at as its attempt to regain accreditation. "[It is] an option we're looking into," said James, a board member from Thomasville, Pa. "We haven't gotten a report on whether it would be approved by the [U.S.] Department of Education or CCE." It was unclear whether a merger, which could involve a management takeover of Life's chiropractic school, would automatically extend accreditation. The Council on Chiropractic Education has a policy that covers "teach-out agreements" between institutions, but it is directed at schools that are closing, as a way to allow students an opportunity to complete their educations. The chiropractic council has never before approved the option for a program such as Life's, which has lost its accreditation. But the CCE's decision to revoke Life's chiropractic accreditation was itself unprecedented. Three chiropractic schools are possibilities, Williams told faculty. They are Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic in Spartanburg, S.C.; Cleveland Chiropractic College; and Life Chiropractic College West in Hayward, Calif., a chiropractic school that is operated independently of Life University in Marietta. All of the schools have accreditation through the CCE and share Life's traditional approach to chiropractic. A spokesman for Cleveland Chiropractic College, which has campuses in Kansas City, Mo., and Los Angeles, said the president was not available to comment. A representative of Sherman could not be reached Tuesday night for comment. Reza Badiee, chief financial officer for Life West, said the college had discussed ways it could help Life University maintain its students on the Marietta campus. Badiee said a merger was not discussed, but Life West has talked to Life University about how it could provide faculty or other assistance if its appeal fails. "The only thing we're looking at is how we can provide instruction in an accredited manner that allows its students to graduate," Badiee said. The university has already announced it will appeal the revocation of accreditation announced June 10 by the Council on Chiropractic Education. The appeal will extend accreditation to the end of October or November, enabling graduates to take national board exams, which are required for a license. Williams, 74, has also said that he plans to step down as president in Mar