Break-ins rattle St. Augustine's as bankrupt university struggles to secure campus

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- St. Augustine's University is fighting to stay afloat financially, and now the struggling campus is dealing with new damage after a break-in.

According to our newsgathering partners at the News & Observer, a group of people broke into empty dormitories on the university's campus over the weekend and threw furniture out the windows.

The incident comes as the Raleigh-based historically Black university works through bankruptcy and the loss of its accreditation.

The school recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy; a move leaders say is meant to help reorganize its finances while continuing operations.

Court records show the university owes between $50 million and $100 million to creditors.

School officials say financial challenges are making it difficult to secure the campus in the wake of the break-in.

Boarding up broken windows is estimated to cost about $4,000, while repairing fencing could run around $10,000 -- expenses the university cannot cover without borrowing additional money.

During a bankruptcy hearing Tuesday, a judge approved an emergency loan of $200,000 to help the university cover immediate needs through June.

Those funds are expected to go toward security upgrades, payroll and utilities as the university navigates its financial crisis.