St. Augustine’s reaches out to alumni after accreditation loss

ST. AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY

St. Augustine’s University is reaching out to alumni for support after the Raleigh school was removed as a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

RALEIGH – Saint Augustine’s University administrators held a virtual forum with alumni last week following the announcement of the school’s loss of accreditation after arbitration and removal from membership among the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The forum – joined by over 200 people - included SAU Interim President Marcus Burgess, Board of Trustees chairman Brian Boulware, interim provost and vice president of academic affairs Verjanis Peoples, and vice president of finance and administration Mark Yates, among others.

"They need money for this lawsuit,” said SaveSAU Coalition chairman Ben Johnson, as his explanation for the meeting’s bottom line. Litigation is SAU’s lone remaining option for long-term SACSCOC reinstatement.
Burgess, who did not respond to a Tribune text message, issued a July 14 letter to SACSCOC President Belle Wheelan and indicated SAU’s intent to pursue litigation. The university will remain accredited on probation for good cause through the litigation.

“They can get funds from the federal government, and all of those things,” SACSCOC public relations and data specialist Janea Johnson said of privileges due SACSCOC-accredited institutions.

“SAU is not closing – our doors remain open, and classes will continue,” Burgess said in a July 14 press release. “Fall 2025 classes will commence virtually as scheduled for both new and returning students.” A fall calendar is not posted in the website’s “Academic Calendar” section.

“This legal action will effectively extend SAU’s accredited status during the transition period, ensuring that current and future graduates receive their degrees from an institution that is accredited,” the release stated.

Transitioning to another accrediting entity - like Bennett College in Greensboro moved from SACSCOC to the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools - could be an option.

Bennett’s transition to full TRACS membership in April 2023 took four years following the school’s February 2019 SACSCOC membership revocation and subsequent litigation. Bennett exceeded a $5 million fundraising goal in February 2019. SAU has no such known donations on the immediate horizon.

SAU has a $30 million credit line, albeit with a 26% interest rate, with Gothic Ventures. The university approximated the forthcoming litigation’s total cost to be $1 million, with a $350,000 attorney retainer fee. "Why do they need to ask alumni for money,” Johnson said.

SAU, per SACSCOC policy, will be responsible for SACSCOC’s legal fees. 

“These costs must be paid in full within 45 days following the institution’s receipt of SACSCOC’s invoice, unless other arrangements are approved by the Executive Council acting on behalf of the SACSCOC Board of Trustees,” SACSCOC policy states. The same press release invited contributions to the Falcon Pride Initiative for said legal fees.

Johnson said Burgess indicated about 10 SAU students are on course to graduate in the fall and spring terms. These class sizes would represent roughly 40% of SAU’s graduating classes last fall and spring.

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