The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has reinstated the accreditation for Saint Augustine鈥檚 University. On Monday, the university announced that a SACSCOC arbitration committee had reversed two previous decisions.
SAU remains on probation for cause, mostly due to persistent financial issues.
鈥淭his reinstatement acknowledges SAU鈥檚 relentless dedication to upholding academic standards and ensuring a thriving educational environment for our students,鈥� interim President Marcus Burgess said in a statement. 鈥淲e are resolute in our mission to overcome challenges and emerge stronger than ever.鈥�
Saint Augustine鈥檚 was on probation from the accreditation agency . In December, SACSCOC voted to terminate SAU鈥檚 accreditation after the university didn鈥檛 meet its standards. The decision was later reaffirmed by the commission鈥檚 appeals committee in February.
Both of those decisions have now been reversed by the arbitration committee, which was appointed by SACSCOC.
SACSCOC officials did not respond to 瓜神app鈥檚 request for comment.
鈥淭he SACSCOC arbitration committee鈥檚 decision serves as a pivotal moment for SAU鈥檚 redemption and renewal,鈥� Brian Boulware, chair of SAU鈥檚 Board of Trustees, said in a statement. 鈥淭he unanimous reversal by the arbitration committee rightfully corrects the injustice inflicted upon SAU by SACSCOC鈥檚 initial ruling and underscores the university鈥檚 steadfast commitment to excellence and growth.鈥�
Although Saint Augustine鈥檚 University is accredited again, it is still on probation and facing severe financial issues. The university owes nearly $10 million in back taxes from three tax liens the IRS took out against the school this year.
SAU has also had trouble meeting payroll, had to last semester and lost an early college contract with the Wake County Public School System. WCPSS has since , another private HBCU in downtown Raleigh.
The university鈥檚 Board of Trustees is also being . The SAVE SAU coalition accuses the board of fraudulently managing the university鈥檚 funds and blames it for the school鈥檚 current financial problems.
Last month, BOT chair Brian Boulware sent a lengthy statement to faculty and students against the coalition鈥檚 claims. In that same letter, Boulware said the university is working on an 鈥渋mmediate short-term financial solution鈥� that will address payroll, IRS and state back taxes, student refunds and other urgent financial needs.
The arbitration committee鈥檚 decision to reinstate SAU鈥檚 accreditation with a probation sanction will last until the end of this year, . In December, Saint Augustine's University will have to appear before the same SACSCOC board that voted to revoke its membership in 2023.
