Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been placed on probation after the board of trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges determined the university failed to comply with accreditation requirements. The board referred to requirements regarding financial control, governing board characteristics, and federal and state responsibilities.
This is one of many times the Raleigh HBCU has been on the verge of losing accreditation. Similar measures were taken in 2016 and 2018 when the university was placed on probation due to financial problems and questions of institutional effectiveness. According to the official statement from the board, an institution is expected to have good financial resources and a stable financial base.
The university is still accredited, as stated on the school’s website. The university expects to demonstrate full compliance during probation. It also states that students’ financial aid will not be affected. Saint Augustine’s president, Christine McPhail, released a statement on the school’s website addressing the board’s decision.
“During the last two years, we have taken unprecedented action to protect and advance the fiscal health of Saint Augustine’s University. These efforts are reflected in the significant progress in areas such as increased enrollment, increased alumni and employee giving, increased grant activity, increased endowments, reduced student debt, improved upward mobility of graduates, and year-end balanced budgets. In addition, the University has increased the number of student internships, external partnerships, and strategic partnerships and alliances. While we are disappointed with the decision made by the SASCOC Board, we are not discouraged; the entire SAU community has renewed our commitment to fulfill our vision and stay the course to complete our mission.”
