Life trims 49 jobs, hints at more cuts

MARIETTA ã Life University cut 49 jobs from its campus operations 
Wednesday and warned employe 
08/29/02

By Phillip Giltman
Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer
 
MARIETTA ã Life University cut 49 jobs from its campus operations 
Wednesday and warned employees that more layoffs could come in 
the future.
„Life is working through the most challenging time in its history,¾ 
said interim president Dr. Michael Schmidt. „Student tuition and fees 
are our primary revenue source, and we must react accordingly to 
expected enrollment decreases. The decision to eliminate positions 
was exceedingly tough, but the university will do its best to be 
helpful and supportive of the people that are affected.¾
Student enrollment dropped 17 percent over the summer ã a loss 
of about $2 million to the university¼s revenue. Fall enrollment 
figures haven¼t been released yet but are expected to drop even 
further.
„As fall enrollment figures become clear, economic necessity may 
dictate that we move again to contain costs,¾ Schmidt said. „We are 
working now and have asked the entire staff to help in identifying 
areas where we can reduce expenses. We must all work together in 
the interest of meeting student and academic needs and continuing 
the mission of Life University.¾
Wednesday¼s cuts came from the intercollegiate athletic program 
and the community relations program, two departments recently 
eliminated at Life.
„It¼s a sad day for me because I hired all those coaches who have 
been cut,¾ said Roger Kaiser, former athletic director at Life 
University. „Now I¼m trying to help them get jobs somewhere else. 
That¼s why I¼m still here.¾
Kaiser has also been put in charge of the fund-raising efforts for the 
university¼s Christmas display, „Lights of Life.¾
Life spokesman Will Hurst, who would not release which positions 
had been eliminated, said the university maintains a workforce of 
about 500 individuals, so Wednesday¼s cuts sliced nearly 10 percent 
of Life¼s personnel.
„We have to do what we have to do to make sure the school 
survives,¾ said newly appointed trustee Dr. Thomas Klapp. „I know 
it is important that the school do what it needs to do in this crisis to 
weather the storm.¾
Dr. Klapp, who graduated from Life in 1979 and has practiced in Ann 
Arbor, Mich., since 1980, said the act of eliminating positions will not 
help the school regain its accreditation, but it will help the school 
get itself in a position to meet CCE standards and be financially 
stable, while providing the appropriate education to the students 
who decide to remain at the school.
„We are in keep-the-doors-open mode here,¾ he said. „It is tragic 
that we have to resort to this, but it is really quite 
necessary I believe.¾
Hurst said that although the community relations department has 
been eliminated, many of the department¼s functions will continue 
and have been absorbed into other departments.
„Some mid-level support positions from other departments have 
also been eliminated,¾ he said in a prepared statement.
Hurst said the university is taking a number of steps to assist 
individuals whose positions have been eliminated including issuing 
severance packages, health insurance benefits and transitional 
assistance and advice.
Life University lost its accreditation on June 10, filed a formal appeal 
on August 7 and should hear back from the CCE within the next five 
weeks. The school remains accredited during the appeals process.
pgiltman@mdjonline.com