St. Augustine's University announces start date for remote classes, agencies donate gift cards

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Saint Augustine's University held two student forums and one faculty and staff forum this week discussing the possibility of shifting to remote learning beginning on the university's Easter break.

The school issued a statement Wednesday:

"After receiving open dialogue, answering questions, and receiving feedback from students, parents, faculty, and staff, we decided to transition to remote learning for the remainder of the spring semester starting April 1st. While we strive to maintain the quality of education, it is also our utmost responsibility to ensure the safety, well-being, and dignity of the SAU community, especially our students. A select number of students, including student-athletes on the track team, international students, and students working internships will remain on campus until our commencement ceremony on May 4th. In addition, we will make accommodations to provide food service for the remaining students on campus.

We will remain in communication with all students and their families during this transition and handle all special conditions related to out-of-state students and additional inquiries related to housing, student accounts, and technology on a case-by-case basis"

This week, multiple alumni groups affiliated with St. Augustine's University banded together to call for the resignation of university leadership. Specifically, the resolution sought for the school's Board of Trustees to resign.

In response, Wednesday, board chairman Brian Boulware released a statement through the university's spokesperson. "The Board remains focused on preserving SAU's accreditation and stabilizing the University's finances under its new leadership," Boulware wrote. "The University's accreditation and financial stability are critical to its ability to continue as a premier HBCU in North Carolina. Our focus remains on fulfilling Saint Augustine's University's mission and supporting students, faculty, staff, and alumni."

Meanwhile, a basketball player, who asked not to be identified, said the focus is now on finding a new school.

"I regret coming here," the student-athlete said. "I don't know what I'm going to do."

Additionally, questions continue to mount as the school's food pantry could be in jeopardy once the majority of students transition to virtual learning on April 3.

School administrators sent an email to students, staff, and faculty this week notifying them of $50 gift cards being made available for distribution from a partnership between Food Lion and Goodwill.

Food Lion tells ABC11 they have donated 120 gift cards valued at $25 each ($3,000 total) to the food pantry at St. Augustine's.

The developments come amid the announcement from Wake County Schools that it would be ending its partnership with St. Augustine's University amid ongoing accreditation challenges.

READ MORE: Full coverage of Saint Augustine's financial woes

"We are very thankful and appreciative of the twelve years of partnership with the Wake County Public School System. While we are disappointed because we will miss the Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy (WYMLA) and Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy (WYWLA) students on our campus, we also understand the gravity of the moment," said interim president Dr. Marcus Burgess. "We fully support the decision of WCPSS Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor and the WCPSS Board of Education."

We look forward to the day we can invite the early college students back to SAU with open arms.