After months of investigations, meetings and lawsuits, Saint Augustine's University can keep its accreditation.
The arbitration committee appointed by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) decided to reverse the decision to strip SAU of its membership.
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SAU interim president Marcus Burgess said they still have more work to do as the university is still on probation.
SAU posted a road map on its website, detailing a plan in which they have roughly four months to resolve all of their issues with compliance. SACSCOC previously noted issues with financial management and oversight.
This comes as classes begin next month. SAU will start the fall semester in-person on Aug. 19.
"We’re going to probably be a lot smaller, anywhere from 200-to-300 students, but we’ll be open," said Burgess.
That number is about a third of what the enrollment was pre-pandemic.
“By having a small student population, it allows us to sunset [some programs],” Burgess said.
That means the university can put a pause on certain programs or majors, according to Burgess.
The accreditation and membership with SACSCOC is directly tied to federal funding for the school and financial aid for students.
"This is a happy moment in time, but it’s not the final moment," said Burgess.
The university needs to prove it's in good financial standing. Burgess says that the university needs to provide three completed audits for FY 2022, FY 2023 and FY 2024 by December.
"We have to get these audits done," Burgess said. "This time around, there is no other arbitration, there is not an appeals decision.
The process could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“Being able to pay for those three [audits] enables us to be compliant when it comes to SACSCOC, but more importantly, it gives an opportunity to write loans,” Burgess said.
He is confident in the university's ability to complete the audits on the four-month timeline.
"Getting the work done, yes, we can get the work done," Burgess said.
However, he noted that each audit can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the audit firm the decide to work with.
“We've been still seeing support, but it's time to rev it up. It's time for us to say, ‘Hey, it's about Saint Augustine's University. It's not about this thing or that thing. It's about the vitality of this institution,’” he said. “We don't have any second chances. We've been given it already. We've earned it. We've done the work we want to show the work. That's all we've asked in the very beginning, an opportunity to show the work that we've been doing to get towards being compliant.”
Burgess also said the university is in the final stages of securing a $7 million bridge loan.
While acknowledging the loan won't solve all SAU's financial issues, Burgess said that money will help pay faculty, students and pay for at least one of the audits. He did not have a clear timeline as to when that would be complete.
"The SACSCOC arbitration committee’s decision serves as a pivotal moment for SAU’s redemption and renewal," said Brian Boulware, chairman of the SAU Board of Trustees. "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."
The arbitration committee announced its decision to overturn the ruling of the February Appeals Committee and the decision made in December 2023 by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees to remove SAU from membership.
This week’s ruling to reverse those earlier decisions allows SAU to maintain its membership with SACSCOC, although still under the sanction of Probation for Cause. This outcome provides a renewed opportunity for SAU to resolve issues of non-compliance related to financial resources and oversight.
"This reinstatement acknowledges SAU’s relentless dedication to upholding academic standards and ensuring a thriving educational environment for our students," said SAU Interim President Dr. Marcus H. Burgess. "We are resolute in our mission to overcome challenges and emerge stronger than ever."
The university said it remains steadfast in its mission to rejuvenate its reputation and dispel doubts about its longevity.
"The commitment and resilience shown by our community throughout this ordeal exemplify the spirit and determination that define Saint Augustine’s University," said Dr. Janelle Jennings-Alexander, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. "Our faculty and staff’s tireless efforts to preserve SAU’s legacy of educational distinction help strengthen us in this accreditation journey."
People in the community interested in helping the university can visit the Falcon Pride Initiative.