[ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 11/13/02 ]
Life's situation slips off campus 
Nearby shops taking a hit as effect on county economy begins stirring unease
By PHILLIP TAYLOR 
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer 

Barely a month ago, an afternoon styling at Picasso in the Barclay Village 
shopping center was by appointment only. But the recent failure of Life 
University to hold onto its chiropractic credentials has made even the walk-in 
clients scarce, leaving the salon with empty chairs.
Steady customers have become former clients.
"It's awful," stylist Frida Enghi said. "Everybody is coming in here and saying 
goodbye, because after Christmas they're leaving."
Picasso and other businesses in the Marietta shopping center on the edge of 
the Life campus experienced the first fallout from the university's loss of 
accreditation. A complete Life University meltdown could result in the loss of 
more than $100 million in Cobb County's economy, according to an economist 
at Kennesaw State University.
Life failed in a final effort to hold onto its accreditation after a panel determined 
on Oct. 20 that the Council on Chiropractic Education rightfully revoked its 
credentials last June. The blow to Life's largest degree program puts the 
school's survival in jeopardy.
Life students, meanwhile, began seeking chiropractic instruction elsewhere. 
More than 1,000 students have withdrawn from the school since June.
But Life's interim president, Michael Schmidt, promised to keep the school 
open. The university reapplied for accreditation on Oct. 21, a process that could 
take more than two years. The school also has stripped about $6 million from 
its $38 million operating budget. Schmidt also said the school has enough in 
reserves to stay open for a year.
Based on university budget numbers and student spending patterns, Life 
accounts for about $100 million of spending in Cobb each year, said Roger 
Tutterow, director of the Econometric Center at Kennesaw State University.
Tutterow said a loss of $100 million to Cobb businesses might be realized only 
if Life shuttered the campus and all of its students left the area. 
"Many who moved here to work at or attend Life will remain," he said. "My guess 
is that, in the short run at least, the majority of students here are already 
employed. They will likely stay here and work until some of the uncertainties at 
Life University are worked out."
But if the university were to continue to lose students and begin cutting 
employees and campus construction projects, the impact could be 
considerable, Tutterow said.
"I would believe that," said Marietta Mayor Bill Dunaway, who recently sold his 
own restaurant in a move unrelated to Life's troubles. "And I know a lot of them. 
Over the past 10 years, I have had more than 100 chiropractic students working 
for me at the 1848 House restaurant."
The university itself, he said, has contributed to the Marietta community in other 
ways.
"Life has been a good neighbor and not just for their wonderful Lights of Life 
Christmas show," Dunaway said. "They are very supportive of the arts here and 
very supportive of the community."
Meanwhile, the impact on Barclay Village shops has been immediate and 
severe.
"Oh, it's had a drastic effect on us," said Leandro Dias, an employee of Salerno, 
finishing only the second order of the day one recent afternoon. "There's no two 
ways about it. Usually there's a steady gust of customers, but now it's dead."
Noticing the depression in the few Life students still frequenting the pizza 
parlor, co-owner Tom Nagarajan tried to boost Salerno's offerings. The parlor 
altered its menu and prices and started hosting a karaoke night on 
Wednesdays and Fridays and a trivia night on Tuesdays. Few have showed up.
At Fade-Away Barber Shop, Red Williams said customers have been more 
than depressed. They're angry.
"They have no choice but to find another school," she said. "And some of these 
people had just moved in. They started school just a month ago."
At the other end of the shopping center, at Picasso, a visitor asks Enghi about 
business.
"Don't ask me," Enghi responds. "You know."