St. Aug's accreditation in jeopardy after SACSCOC votes to remove membership
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) voted Tuesday to remove Saint Augustine's University (SAU) from membership, which would cause the school to lose accreditation.
The vote is not a final action, and since SAU has said it will appeal the decision graduates in December 2024 and May 2025 will receive degrees from an accredited SAU
The university announced it's decision to appeal in a release Tuesday. The university said SACSCOC found it had resolved the previous issues that landed it on probation, except for those related to finances.
Since the university is appealing the decision, it will remain accredited until the final decision of the appeals committee. SAU has until Feb. 25 to submit additional financial information to SACSCOC.
"SACSCOC could only consider information SAU presented as of November 18, 2024. Saint Augustine's University has made significant progress even since that date, including finalizing the $70 Million deal with 50 plus 1 Sports. The SACSCOC Board could not consider that information on Saturday during our hearing. Still, we look forward to providing that evidence during our February appeals hearing, along with other information that will definitively resolve all the remaining areas of concern," said Dr. Marcus Burgess, President of Saint Augustine's University. "While this may seem like a disappointing decision, we view this as an encouraging outcome that acknowledges our progress, and we are excited about the opportunity the Appeal affords us. This opportunity to prove that SAU is now a stronger and more financially healthy institution will bring confidence to our stakeholders and partners, ensuring them that SAU remains a cornerstone of opportunity and innovation for our students and the Raleigh community."
Financial Issues
In a letter from the university, they laid out steps made to help improve the school's financial problems. This includes four financial audits and cutting half of its employees which saves $17 million.
SAU also took out a $7 million loan from Gothic Ventures.
Alumni and other groups, though, have expressed concern about the high interest on the loan and the decision to put up much of the university's properties as collateral.
St Aug's has been on probation with the accrediting agency for two years after failing to meet several of its standards.
Last December, an appeal committee voted to terminate the university's accreditation. It was then reinstated following an appeal in July.
