Saint Augustine's University remains at the heart of a back-and-forth with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) as it struggles to recover from financial difficulties.
In the latest move, an arbitration panel affirmed the appeals committee’s decision upholding SACSCOC’s move to remove SAU from membership. In response, SAU will file an injunction in court to keep its accreditation status and work toward maintaining that standing.
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The university says it remains accredited and operational for the fall 2025 semester as the litigation process unfolds. It's been a turbulent two-year period for SAU with its enrollment dipping to as low as 200 students and moving to all virtual classes in spring 2024.
“We will stop at nothing to ensure that SAU maintains its accreditation and continues serving our students,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Brian Boulware. “SAU’s mission is bigger than any one setback. For over a century, SAU has been a beacon of opportunity. That legacy will continue. We are pressing onward – with faith, focus, and fortitude – to secure the accreditation our students deserve. Our resolve to educate and empower our students is unshakeable, and the entire SAU community stands together to support the path ahead.”
There have been multiple lawsuits filed against the school involving unpaid bills. In the spring, a Wake County judge ordered SAU to pay more than $20 million to a wireless company. In March, the SACSCOC denied SAU's appeal to fully regain its accreditation. May 2025 graduates did receive accredited degrees.
“SAU is not closing – our doors remain open, and classes will continue,” said SAU Interim President Dr. Marcus H. Burgess. “This decision does not define us — our resilience does. SAU has faced challenges before, and each time, we have risen to meet them. We have significantly strengthened our foundation, and we will continue to serve our students with excellence. Our priority now is to ensure every student can complete their education at SAU with an accredited degree in hand, and we have a clear plan to make that happen.”
Burgess' message was felt among several alum, including Steven Williams.
"We alumni do not want our university to go in peril," Williams said. "Our university needs to stay. We are asking all the partners that we have talked to over the last few years to stand with us, make calls, call these government officials and let them know, St. Aug's must stay."
In late 2024, the university enacted budget cuts that reduced expenses by approximately 50 percent that created $17 million in annual savings.
An Save SAU alumni group has formed in response to the turmoil. The group and several other former students and staff, including former track coach George Williams, said they were concerned about a $7 million loan from Gothic Ventures the school took out to repay some of its debts.
In April, Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, gave a $132,000 donation to pay the debt of 11 graduating seniors at SAU.