OUR OPINIONS: University no longer one man's life
Staff
Friday, June 14, 2002
 

In order to save Life University, the school of chiropractic founded by "Dr. Sid" Williams, the entire family must surrender control. Williams' resignation alone is not enough.

The Council of Chiropractic Education has decided to revoke accreditation --- "the most serious adverse action possible for this body." The school is appealing the decision, and it has until December to repair problems found by a separate agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

But it is clear that Life University must make major changes.

Losing accreditation has immense consequences for Life, the largest of the country's 16 chiropractic schools. It affects the studies of nearly 4,000 students --- many of whom moved to Cobb County with families for the 14 quarters of required study. They came from around the nation and 33 countries. If Life is not accredited, students will not be granted licenses to practice chiropractic.

Of course, losing accreditation not only diminishes Life's reputation, but also the life's work of a man who almost single-handedly made "spinal adjustment" an everyday phrase. Let's hope Williams really meant his promise this week to "address the decision for the ultimate benefit of the students."

Among other things, the accreditation panels criticized the school's financial management: The Williams dynasty draws massive salaries by any university's standards. In 1997 (the latest figures for Life's salaries from the Chronicle of Higher Education), Williams' salary was more than $900,000; his wife's was nearly $500,000; his sister-in-law, assistant vice president Mildred Kimbrough, more than $323,000; and his longtime friend, Vice President Durie Humber, $625,870. By comparison, Harvard's president earned $380,000 in 2000 and Yale's president, $552,000. While her salary is not available, Williams' daughter, Kim, is also employed in the administration.

The chiropractic commission also cited problems with student training rooted in Williams' philosophy that the body has an inherent ability to heal itself once spinal adjustments are made. The council wants chiropractors to take disease symptoms into account.

Williams needs to understand that the university he founded 28 years ago with 22 students has grown beyond his scope and control. In 1996, the college was issued a $37 million municipal bond by the Marietta Development Authority for campus expansions. But since 1997, freshman enrollment has dropped 40 percent, even though the college has expanded the degrees offered.

If the school is to survive, it can no longer be the family business. The founder and his family must separate themselves immediately from the day-to-day operations. Otherwise, the school will die, along with Williams' dream and the careers of thousands of students.