Financial crisis: Saint Augustine's switching to remote learning in April; 'SAVESAU' calls for resignation of Board of Trustees
On Monday, WRAL News learned Saint Augustine’s University will transfer to remote learning and send students home at the beginning of April.
According to multiple sources at the university, the school asked students to move out by April 3.
Saint Augustine’s University alumni organizations and other university support groups are demanding the immediate resignation and reconstitution of the SAU Board of Trustees. The groups have created a resolution entitled "SAVESAU."
"We believe and evidence shows the SAU Board of Trustees has breached its fiduciary duty to the university," said Dr. John Larkins, 1966 SAU alumnus, former president of the NAA and former board trustee. "The FY21 audit also states that the Board’s overall governance and oversight of the university were severely absent.
"Over 60% of the twenty-seven material weaknesses and other findings in FY21 are repeat audit findings. Alumni have expressed major concerns about the board’s governance of SAU for the past five years. The National Alumni Association outlined a list of significant concerns and approved a vote of no confidence in the SAU Board of Trustees in 2020."
In addition to the reconstitution of the board of trustees, the groups are demanding accountability for those responsible for the mismanagement of the university’s fiscal affairs, including more than $10 million in unsupportable cash disbursements cited in the FY21 audit.
Brian Boulware, chairman of the Saint Augustine's University Board of Trustees said the board was aware of the resolution but did not plan to disband. He issued this statement:
"The Board remains focused on preserving SAU's accreditation and stabilizing the University's finances under its new leadership. The University's accreditation and financial stability are critical to its ability to continue as a premier HBCU in North Carolina. Our focus remains on fulfilling Saint Augustine's University's mission and supporting students, faculty, staff and alumni."
Petitioners also demand that students receive their official transcripts if requested, given the university’s historical mismanagement of student account activity and a January 2024 email from the university citing errors in student account balances.
"We love our university and are making a concerted effort to ensure that the right changes are made by individuals we trust to oversee the institution during this dark period," said Devaron Benjamin, 1996 alumnus of SAU. "We will continue to support students, faculty, and staff. Those who created the issues, whether through intent or neglect, cannot be trusted to fix the problems. Our hope is that the board of trustees will care enough about this incredible institution to step down given their past and current performance. They need to give future generations a chance to love it like we do."
Classes moved online for two weeks in January so the university could make repairs to campus facilities.
A Saint Augustine’s University student, who didn't want to go on camera, told WRAL News, "That was a complete disaster."
The student also expressed his thoughts about the latest shift to virtual classes.
“I don’t know if everyone is going to get what they necessarily need to be successful to finish out the semester strong," he said.
Steven Williams, a Saint Augustine's graduate, started a petition in December calling for the immediate resignation of the Saint Augustine's University Board of Trustees. As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, more than 1,600 people have signed the petition.
The move to remote learning comes as the school deals with a possible loss of accreditation due to financial issues.
In February, WRAL News reported the IRS filed a $7.9 million lien on the school for unpaid taxes dating back to 2020.
One source said the virtual format may impact all students except for graduating seniors.
Saint Augustine’s interim president, Marcus Burgess, repeatedly told various news outlets, including WRAL News, that the school won't shut down.
