In a Monday press release, The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) decided to unanimously reverse the 2023 decision to strip SAU of its membership.
"The SACSCOC arbitration committee's decision serves as a pivotal moment for SAU's redemption and renewal," said Brian Boulware, Chairman of the SAU Board of Trustees. "The unanimous reversal by the arbitration committee rightfully corrects the injustice inflicted upon SAU by SACSCOC's initial ruling and underscores the university's steadfast commitment to excellence and growth."
This reversal is unusual, according to accreditation expert Dr. Renee Pellom.
"It's very rare actually, to see an institution reinstated from a drop status that has been pronounced by the accrediting agency," Pellom said.
She said for this reinstatement to happen in arbitration is even more rare.
Ultimately, the decision led to even more questions for SAU.
"I think quite frankly, we don't know where this is going to go. I have no doubt that the staff is hard at work, you know, working to put in place those kinds of things that need to be done so that they can satisfy SACSCOC and of course, all the requirements that are established and in the criteria and their policies," Pellom said.
Saint Augustine's University is set to welcome new students to campus in August -- with the first day of classes set for Aug. 19.
"We're still here to try and save the school and keep the doors open," Dr. John Larkins with SAVESAU said. "The idea that the school has 'til the end of the year will be good, so we can roll our sleeves up so we don't end up like Morris Brown and Bennett College."
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"Maybe for parents who again are thinking about, you know, their students, their children starting in the fall I think there's just a lot that's unknown. However, there are schools on probation that just continue to function," Pellom said.
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