Saint Augustine's University weighs best use of property, facilities with new master plan

Saint Augustine’s University weighs best use of property, facilities with new master plan

Interim president Marcus Burgess describes the past year as a “rollercoaster.” The latest turn: a decision by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to revoke the university’s accreditation.

In their efforts to appeal the decision, Burgess said they will present a signed $70 million land-lease contract to SACSCOC, which could prove long-term financial stability. He said they did not complete the deal before the SACSCOC deadline.

“What you guys may see is $70 million on paper right now, [but] this has the potential to be over $1 billion worth of revenue for the institution in years to come,” Burgess said. “It's not something that's just right now; this is going to be a continued process where everybody wins.”

WRAL Investigates first reported the new partnership with stadium development firm 50 Plus 1 Sports two weeks ago. Burgess would not share the scope of the project. However, he did say the university will work alongside the firm to create a master plan for its facilities and property.

“We have identified the spaces that we want to move forward with in this vision of the new Saint Augustine’s University. Then, we've also identified the spaces that probably would not be a part of this campus going forward,” Burgess said.

He said the master plan is still in the planning phases. WRAL asked if any main campus property would be excluded from the new vision for Saint Augustine’s University.

“I'm not sure right now, but hopefully, with a master plan that we would build and work alongside with 50 plus one, we would determine what's the best use of that space,” Burgess replied. “It may be rehabilitation. It may be just to be completely torn down, but we will make sure that the Master Plan dictates that, versus one or two people having decision-making on that.”

Burgess did not provide further details on what the deal will entail but acknowledged a level of hesitation and a lack of trust among alumni.

"We are making tough decisions, not popular decisions, but tough decisions to right-size our operations," he said. "If nothing else, they should feel good that we’re still fighting. We didn’t give up."

Burgess said the 50 plus 1 deal will help eliminate “almost all” of the university’s debt, including a $7 million loan with high interest.

He said he is “excited” for the university despite the latest ruling by SACSCOC.

“We might be one of the first institutions to be going to appeal with opportunity to show new evidence. What happens next is we have now more time, and time is what hurt us going into this process, we ran out of time in order to be able to show all the wins, all the progress that the institution had made,” Burgess said.

He says that the university is committed to continuing its fight to show progress and fully regain accreditation.

“160 years should not go by the wayside because of a few years that we were less than our better selves,” Burgess said.

The school will remain accredited throughout the appeal process, with a hearing scheduled for February.