Saint Augustine’s University, a historically Black educational institution in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been on the precipice of losing its accreditation for the past two years.
In December 2022, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) placed the HBCU on a one-year probation. This past summer, after a months-long appeal process, the SACSCOC decided to maintain the university’s accreditation and extend its probation through December 2024.
Despite Saint Augustine’s University’s efforts to resolve the SACSCOC’s concerns, the commission recently voted to officially remove the HBCU’s accreditation at a meeting earlier this month in Austin, Texas. Notably, the commission found that Saint Augustine’s University had resolved all issues except those related to finances. Under SACSCOC’s policies, the university can appeal this decision and submit additional financial information through February 2025. If the commission’s concerns are satisfied, Saint Augustine’s University will be clear of all sanctions and maintain its accreditation.
“SACSCOC could only consider information SAU presented as of November 18, 2024. Saint Augustine’s University has made significant progress even since that date, including finalizing the $70 million deal with 50 plus 1 Sports. The SACSCOC Board could not consider that information on Saturday [December 7] during our hearing. Still, we look forward to providing that evidence during our February appeals hearing, along with other information that will definitively resolve all the remaining areas of concern,” said Marcus Burgess, President of Saint Augustine’s University. “While this may seem like a disappointing decision, we view this as an encouraging outcome that acknowledges our progress, and we are excited about the opportunity the appeal affords us. This opportunity to prove that SAU is now a stronger and more financially healthy institution will bring confidence to our stakeholders and partners, ensuring them that SAU remains a cornerstone of opportunity and innovation for our students and the Raleigh community.”
The next steps for Saint Augustine’s University will be to provide the SACSCOC with evidence it has made progress to alleviate its financial challenges since November 2024. This includes confirmation that the university has secured financial resources from public and private agencies, enhanced its strategic financial management processes to ensure sustainability, implemented corrective action for audit findings, and established plans for repayment of outstanding obligations.
In the meantime, Saint Augustine’s University will maintain its accreditation until a final decision is made. Students who graduate in December 2024 and May 2025 will receive degrees from an accredited institution.
