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Construction is commencing shortly on the Life University (LIFE) campus for a brand new, 99,000 square-foot campus housing and dining facility anticipated for completion by fall 2018. As part of the University’s 20/20 Vision established in 2006 by its Board of Trustees, this new facility will increase living, dining and recreational/leasure facilities to accommodate an anticipated growth in both undergraduate and graduate enrollment in the next few years. Also a part of the 2020 Vision strategic plan, the University’s goal is an enrollment of 3,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students by 2020.
LIFE Chancellor Guy Riekeman, D.C., made an announcement to University faculty, staff, students and alumni last week indicating that this facility project was set to proceed following a strong response by investors when the University offered their bonds for sale to the market. “Our interest rates we’ve been paying on our current bonds were reduced dramatically,” notes Dr. Riekeman on the bond sale. “Life U was recognized for its financial stewardship by the strong demand from the financial markets, and this is a testament to our vision for the future.”
As part of construction for the new facility, approximately half of the old Commons buildings on the southeast side of Barclay Circle (South Cobb Dr. entrance) will be taken down. LIFE currently has one additional on-campus student housing facility (LIFE Village Retreat), as well as the main campus eatery (Socrates Café). The new facility is expected to accommodate approximately 362 students. In comparison, the LIFE Village Retreat currently accommodates 300 students.
“This project, which is the first of three proposed, was over a year in planning and development,” explains LIFE Executive Vice President of Finance Bill Jarr. “It involved a great team who spent countless hours in an effort that will result in a pivotal moment for the University as it fulfills our Board’s directive to grow both our undergraduate and graduate student enrollments. The idea of a live-on university campus is an exciting one.”
Additionally, LIFE President Rob Scott, D.C., Ph.D. had this to say regarding the bond refinancing and the newly planned addition to the campus in Marietta, “This is an exciting time for the future of Life University as we continue to fulfill our institution’s 20/20 strategic plan, enhance the campus culture, improve the student experience and expand academic and athletic programing. The new student housing and eatery that we will start construction on immediately will be a significant addition to our campus.”
About Life University
Founded in Marietta, Georgia in 1974, Life University is a health sciences institution most known for its chiropractic program, the largest single campus chiropractic program in the world. Life University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, and Doctor of Chiropractic degrees, and also has programmatic accreditation through the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) and the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The mission of Life University is to empower students with the education, skills and values necessary for career success and life fulfillment, based on a vitalistic philosophy.
