Ex-prof: Life¼s demise likely 06/29/02 By Phillip Giltman Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer MARIETTA ã A former professor at Life University expects the 28- year chiropractic program, which has recently undergone an unprecedented accreditation crisis, will lose its appeal and be forced to close. „I don¼t believe Life University will win its appeal, and I wouldn¼t believe anything (founder) Dr. Sid Williams or any of the trustees say because they haven¼t been credible for over a year, maybe even longer,¾ said Paul Lapides, who taught at Life for two years more than 10 years ago. Life was stripped of its accreditation on June 10 after the Council on Chiropractic Education cited that the school did not adhere to CCE standards. The university has been discussing a deal with another school as a way to ensure its current students graduate with an accredited degree, but a letter sent to Life from CCE on Thursday makes it clear that such a deal would mean the end to the university. The letter also insists that if Life continues its appeal of the revocation, then the body will not consider allowing another school to come in. CCE made it clear that such a deal could only follow a public announcement of closure. Lapides said the most likely outcome of the accreditation crisis is for Life to shut down and have another school open a branch on the Marietta campus. Students enrolled at Life would then transfer to the new school¼s program and continue classes in Marietta. The former instructor and CCE have referred to this scenario as a „teach out.¾ „By performing a åteach out,¼ (potential partners) Cleveland College or Life West would hire some of Life¼s faculty, rent facilities at Life University or possibly somewhere else, and those teachers would teach the Life students until they made it through the 14th quarter,¾ he said. Lapides said a teach out would probably be in the best interests of Cleveland College, Life West and the students at Life University. „It serves the students and it¼s good for chiropractic,¾ he said. Dr. Charles Ribley, chairman of Life¼s Board of Trustees, recently announced that Life would appeal the CCE¼s decision to revoke the school of its accreditation. Life has until July 10 to appeal. pgiltman@mdjonline.com