August 2002

Dr. Michael Schmidt Named Interim President of Life University

By Tara Stultz
Editor-in-Chief

Marietta, Ga. - Life University’s board of trustees has appointed Dr. Michael J. Schmidt as interim president. Schmidt, former dean of the college at Life Chiropractic West from 1991 to 2001, began his tenure on July 15.

“The members of the board of trustees are grateful Dr. Schmidt has agreed to serve as interim president. His experience in chiropractic education will be invaluable as Life University works to resolve the challenges ahead,” said Dr. Charles E. Ribley, chairman of the board of trustees. “The board of trustees has complete confidence in Dr. Schmidt, and we look forward to working with him during his leadership at Life.”

The Council on Chiropractic Education revoked its accreditation of Life University College of Chiropractic on June 10. LUCC must win its appeal of the accreditation revocation or come up with another solution, or future graduates of the largest chiropractic college in the nation will not be allowed to take licensing exams to become practicing chiropractors.

Schmidt’s appointment follows the retirement in early July of Dr. Sid E. Williams, the founder and former president of Life University. “Dr. Williams had announced plans to retire to the board in March 2002,” said Will Hurst, a public relations spokesperson for Life University. “The events surrounding the accreditation process and Dr. Williams plans to retire accelerated the process.”

Williams had mentioned in interviews with Atlanta-area media that he was considering staying on with the university in a newly created position of “chancellor” after stepping down as president. However, Hurst said: “Life University does not have a chancellor position, and will not for the foreseeable future. It would be up to board if such a position were necessary.”

Hurst added that Dr. “Sid Williams, as the founder of Life University, will always be welcome at the school, and there will always be a place for the founder, but it is not in an administrative position.” Williams will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of the university, Hurst said. He added: “We hope he enjoys his retirement; he deserves a break, and we want him to enjoy it.”

Williams’ daughter, Dr. Kim Williams, and wife, Nell Williams - who also worked for the university - stepped down from their positions during the same timeframe that Williams retired, Hurst confirmed.

LUCC has been fully accredited by CCE since 1985. LUCC representatives have said the accreditation revocation came as a surprise to them, because they thought they had corrected perceived problem areas after CCE placed the colleges program on probation more than a year ago. CCE has said an appeals decision would likely be made no later than November; LUCC’s accreditation will remain in effect during the appeals process.

The CCE’s Commission on Accreditation told LUCC in a June 10 letter that the COA’s decision to deny reaffirmation of accreditation was based on non-compliance in four different accreditation areas, as defined in the January 2000 edition of “The Council on Chiropractic Education Commission on Accreditation Standards for Chiropractic Programs and Institutions.” A copy of the letter to LUCC from CCE, which outlines the areas of non-compliance, is available as a link from the CCE website’s home page, in pdf format, at www.cce-usa.org. The accreditation standards are explained in detail, also in pdf, at www.cce-usa.org/January-2002-Standards.pdf.

The four problem areas outlined by CCE in the letter to LUCC were related to assessment and planning; and instructional objectives, faculty and staff, and outcomes, as related to the university’s mission. Hurst declined to comment on this information, citing “confidentiality” issues.

Schmidt has been very accessible to students and is trying to help allay any concerns they might have, Hurst said. “The interim president, Dr. Michael Schmidt, has addressed students in assembly formats, including question-and-answer sessions,” he said. “He has office hours for students so they can come in and ask questions, and he is visible on campus and in and out of the academic buildings.”

Schmidt’s focus is on the accreditation appeal and he will “see that through,” Hurst said. He added: “Dr. Schmidt didn’t come to Life University to be the last president of the university.”

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper reported in late June that the LUCC board of trustees had voted to pursue the possibility of an agreement with another chiropractic college as a back-up plan, to ensure that its students graduate from an accredited school. The proposal was aimed at serving as added insurance while the university continues to appeal the accreditation revocation. The colleges mentioned by the trustees as possible candidates at that time were Life Chiropractic College West and Cleveland Chiropractic College, and officials said they would also seek feedback from CCE on the issue.

However, Hurst said Schmidt’s goal is to preserve Life University in its current state - as an independent operation in its own right.

Life University’s board of trustees is conducting a nationwide search for a permanent president of the university, and Schmidt is one of the candidates they are considering, Hurst said. No timeline for appointing a permanent president has been set, he said.

Prior to his 10 years as dean of the college at Life West, Schmidt was chair of the department of technique from 1986 to 1990 and served as chief of staff of the Life West Clinic from 1982 to 1986. From 1975 to 1980, Schmidt served as one of the early faculty members at Life Chiropractic College. Schmidt earned his doctor of chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1975.

Following his appointment as interim president, Schmidt said: “I look forward to being at Life again, and to meeting and working with the faculty, staff, and students to reach solutions to the barriers we face and to continue the positive impact of Life University.”

He added: “Life University has played a large role in my career as a chiropractor and educator. I appreciate the board of trustees confidence in me.”

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