Federal court order redeems St. Augustine's accreditation 

ST. AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY

A federal court's injunction allows St. Augustine's University to remain a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. SACS voted earlier this year to strip SAU's accreditation.

Saint Augustine’s University remains accredited in the midst of a leadership change.

The Raleigh-based historically Black college was granted a preliminary injunction on Aug. 14 by the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Georgia to maintain membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The accrediting agency is based in Georgia. 

With accreditation in place, SAU announced classes will begin on Sept. 2 on a virtual platform. The injunction allows the school to continue its legal challenge to SACSCOC’s decision to remove SAU from its membership earlier this year.  

“We are immensely grateful for the outpouring of support from our alumni and friends. Their commitment ensured we had the resources to take this crucial legal step to protect our students and our mission,” Sophie Gibson, SAU’s new trustees chair said in a statement. “This injunction is not just a legal reprieve; it is a testament to the power of the Falcon community.”

Gibson, the first woman appointed trustees chair in the school’s 158-year history, succeed Brian Boulware, a 1995 SAU graduate, who stepped aside as chair but remains on the board. V. Lynette Mitchell, a 1989, graduate, was appointed vice chair, marking the first time women hold both top board positions.

“As an SAU alumna and now vice chair of the board, I am deeply committed to seeing our beloved institution thrive,” Mitchell said. “We are turning the page to an exciting new era for SAU – one guided by a clear strategic direction and a renewed Falcon spirit.”

SAU’s national alumni association donated $100,000 to cover the cost of filing the injunction. The school’s lawsuit against SACSCOC aims to overturn the accreditor’s decision to remove SAU from its membership.

“This is a tremendous win for Saint Augustine’s University and, most importantly, for our students,” interim SAU President Marcus Burgess said. “Thanks to our supporters, we will open our (virtual) doors on September 2 as an accredited institution, just as we promised. We have said all along that we will stop at nothing to maintain our accreditation and continue serving our scholars – and we meant it.”

The school is appealing directly to alumni and supporters to make in-kind contributions toward its legal fund by giving directly to its attorneys, Alston & Bird LLP.

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