News | Episcopal Church
HBCU Retains Accreditation But Financial Woes Continue
July 22, 2024
The nation’s oldest historically Black Episcopal university will retain its accreditation despite a decision late last year to revoke it, but the school remains on probation and continues to face severe financial challenges.
Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) in Raleigh, North Carolina,
announced July 22 that an arbitration panel had reversed the decision to terminate the accreditation. Such a termination, which was put on hold during the arbitration, would have made SAU students ineligible for financial aid from the federal government.
The accrediting agency is the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). In a
published statement, SACSCOC said the decision of the arbitrators is binding, so SAU will remain accredited at least until the next meeting of the agency’s board of trustees in December.
“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,” said Brian Boulware, chairman of the SAU board of trustees, in a news release.
“Dispelling any rumors or misinformation surrounding SAU’s future, the university certainly reaffirms its intent to welcome students back for the Fall semester,” the release said. But it remains to be seen how many new students there will be after the accreditation issues were publicized in April, the decision month for many high school seniors planning to attend college.
The news release listed Demarcus Williams, associate vice president of global marketing & communications, as a contact for news media. Williams did not respond to multiple requests for comment by telephone and email.
abc11.com
