March
2003
See
also: Message from Life president
Judge restores Life
accreditation
Life
University
announced that on Feb. 10, Senior U.S. District Judge, Charles E. Moye
Jr., restored its accreditation by granting the schools request for
emergency injunctive relief.
"We
are very grateful for and pleased with this decision," commented Dr.
Ben DeSpain, Life President. "While this is the first step in the
judicial system we are hopeful that our pleadings will hold throughout the
appellate process and we will prevail in the end."
Life
University
filed the injunction as part of a lawsuit alleging that CCE acted unfairly
in revoking Life's accreditation. The lawsuit seeks the restoration of
accreditation and damages from the accrediting agency.
Judge
Moye cited four areas of concern as he ruled from the bench:
1)
There was a substantial chance a jury would be compelled to find in favor
of the plaintiff if the same evidence were presented,
2)
There would be irreparable harm/damage to the plaintiff should the
injunction be denied,
3)
There was not a balance of equity when the accrediting agency removed
accreditation from the plaintiff,
4)
There would be no harm to the general public should the injunctive relief
be granted.
With
the ruling, students who have satisfied graduation requirements but were
not processed due to the loss of accreditation may have their degrees
conferred and apply for state licensure.
"CCE
may file an appeal and quite possibly could ask for a stay of this
decision," added DeSpain. "Life is prepared to continue the
legal debate and we are very comfortable we will find similar success in
future rulings."
