[ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 12/11/02 ] Life U gets probation, survives another year By MARY MacDONALD Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, a regional agency that oversees all of the Marietta university's degree programs, will allow Life to remain accredited for another year under the sanction of probation. That status allows students to obtain federal aid to cover tuition, and graduate from accredited undergraduate and master's degree programs in business, science and nutrition. President Ben DeSpain relayed the news to students in an assembly, then vowed to seek court intervention to restore accreditation to the chiropractic program. That degree program lost its standing in October through another accrediting agency, the Council on Chiropractic Education. Without its accreditation, graduates cannot be licensed to become practicing chiropractors in most states. "The net effect is we're making progress," DeSpain said. "We only have one accrediting agency we have to wage war with, not two." The decision by SACS followed a personal appeal by DeSpain and several top administrators, who flew last week to Texas for the association's annual meeting. DeSpain learned of the decision Tuesday morning. For the past year, the university has operated under a public warning from SACS, a sanction one step short of probation. Given the upheaval at Life since the June loss of chiropractic accreditation, DeSpain had expected probation. Chiropractic enrollment has fallen sharply in the past six months, from 2,600 in June to 688 students this month. The loss of tuition revenue has put the university under financial strain. The school could lose as much as $10 million this academic year, according to a September report by SACS. The Council on Chiropractic Education in November told the university it will have to wait two years before it can reapply for accreditation, a scenario DeSpain said is unacceptable. On his recommendation, the university trustees have directed attorneys to investigate all legal options to reverse the loss of chiropractic accreditation, including seeking an injunction that could temporarily restore accreditation until a judge decides if the chiropractic council acted appropriately. A representative of the chiropractic council could not be reached for comment. DeSpain promised students accreditation could be restored as soon as a few weeks, and at the extreme, within months. Several students and alumni said they were skeptical of that, but were pleased to learn the university is willing to fight. Aaron Rossi, 23, a chiropractic student midway through the three-and-a-half year program, said he was encouraged by the new aggression. "I found that very encouraging, and downright exciting," he said. FORUM: LIFE UNIVERSITY PUT ON PROBATION An accreditation agency has given the Marietta school another year to correct problems with its chiropractic program and assure the agency of its financial stability. What do you think of the probation decision, the outlook for Life and steps it should take? READERS REPLY ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The SACS decision is horrible. Those of us that were forced to transfer from Life would not have to pay back our student loans from Life if SACS denied Life accreditation. Now we will have double the student loans, moving expenses and months of time lost. If we are lucky next December there will be chains on the doors. -- John Boresom, Lansing, MI ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The school will only stay open because of the vital revenue it generates. This decision by the board only served to buy the school more time. Life is finished. -- Steve Ryan, Atlanta ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am a former Life student that just recently withdrew from the school. I think this decision is just delaying the inevitable. I have already packed my bags and I am out of there. The school has lied to us too many times and I have had it. I hope they can pull through this mess and turn it around, but I don't see it occurring. Good luck to the remaining students. -- Ian Hochman, Miami