Panel: St. Augustine's University can keep accreditation

ST. AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY

Historically Black St. Augustine's University in Raleigh remains accredited after an arbitration committee appointed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges reversed the agency's decision to terminate the school's membership.

Saint Augustine’s University is fully accredited again.

The historically Black school in Raleigh was re-certified Monday after an arbitration committee appointed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges reversed the accrediting agency’s decision to strip SAU of membership. The reversal reinstates the school’s membership on a probationary basis.

“The SACSCOC arbitration committee’s decision serves as a pivotal moment for SAU’s redemption and renewal,” board of trustees’ chair Brian Boulware said in a statement. “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.”

St. Augustine’s lost its appeal for reinstatement in February after SACS voted to remove the school from its membership last December. The reversal maintains SAU’s access to federal student loans while the campus works to resolve non-compliance issues related to financial resources and oversight.

“This reinstatement acknowledges SAU’s relentless dedication to upholding academic standards and ensuring a thriving educational environment for our students,” Interim President Marcus H. Burgess said. “We are resolute in our mission to overcome challenges and emerge stronger than ever.”

SAU leaders hailed the arbitration panel’s decision as a vote of confidence and confirmed plans to open the campus for the fall semester. SAU remains steadfast in its mission to rejuvenate its reputation and dispel doubts about its longevity.

“The commitment and resilience shown by our community throughout this ordeal exemplify the spirit and determination that define Saint Augustine’s University,” said Janelle Jennings-Alexander, SAU’s interim provost and vice president of academic affairs. “Our faculty and staff’s tireless efforts to preserve SAU’s legacy of educational distinction help strengthen us in this accreditation journey.”

SAU unveiled a path toward recovery July 11 on the university’s YouTube channel, which included options for maintaining accreditation in the event of SACS upholding its decision to revoke the school’s membership. Among other issues facing campus leadership is compensating employees who haven’t been paid since February.

A lawsuit filed May 31 in Wake County Superior Court by Save SAU, a coalition of alumni and students, seeks removal of the board of trustees. The suit cites financial mismanagement relative to capital projects and accuses the board of circumventing required requests for proposals in favor of its preferred vendors on multiple occasions.

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