307 Further Budget Cuts at Life University
Printer Friendly Email a Friend PDF RSS Feed
Dynamic Chiropractic – September 24, 2002, Vol. 20, Issue 20

Further Budget Cuts at Life University

By Editorial Staff
Since we last reported that Life University would discontinue its $2 million sports program as a budgetary measure,1 the university, under the leadership of President Michael Schmidt,DC, has announced plans to cut another $2 million from the school's $38 million operating budget. An estimated 30-50 administrative jobs may be eliminated. This cut is deemed necessary to offset the loss of about 800 students since the June 10, 2002 announcement by the Council on Chiropractic Education that the accreditation of Life University College of Chiropractic would not be renewed.2 Dr. Schmidt estimates that the enrollment may drop another 10-30 percent.

Dr. Schmidt, who took over the reins of Life University on July 15, 2002,3 noted that none of the cuts are coming from the academic side of the budget.

Dr. Schmidt also announced plans to sell six properties it owns that are not on campus, including an administrative building and a clinic in north Marietta. The six properties are estimated to be worth $5-6 million.

Some speculated that Life would forego its annual Christmas light show, which is reported to cost $350,000, although about half of the cost is recouped from donations and corporate sponsorships. Dr. Schmidt has committed to keeping the light show, mainly because it brings many visitors to the Life campus, and has been a tradition since 1990. This year, however, the school seeks to raise the funds necessary to cover the entire cost of the holiday extravaganza. Life's athletic director, Roger Kaiser, will lead the fundraising campaign.

References

  1. Life U's sports program axed. Other cost-saving measures likely. DC Sept. 1, 2002. www.chiroweb.com/archives/20/18/17.html
  2. Life University's accreditation denied. Will retain accreditation through appeals process. DC July 15, 2002. www.chiroweb.com/archives/20/15/09.html
  3. Michael Schmidt,DC, named interim Life president. Life files notice of intent to appeal. DC August 16, 2002. www.chiroweb.com/archives/20/17/12.html

Dynamic Chiropractic editorial staff members research, investigate and write articles for the publication on an ongoing basis. To contact the Editorial Department or submit an article of your own for consideration, email .

To report inappropriate ads, click here.