April 2nd 2024.
The St. Augustine University community has recently made the shift to remote learning as the school grapples with issues surrounding its accreditation and financial stability. On April 1st, the historically black college located in Raleigh, North Carolina, asked its students to vacate their dorms and leave campus, with cars packed full of their belongings, as they begin this new chapter of their academic journey. This comes after a tumultuous start to the spring semester, which saw the university implement two weeks of remote learning due to necessary repairs on campus. Now, the situation has come full circle, with students having until April 3rd to pack up their dorms and depart.
While some students have adjusted well to the transition to online classes, with the help of their professors, others are struggling with the reality of their college experience coming to an abrupt end. As one student, Kai'La James, expressed, "It's still hard because, like, this was supposed to be our senior year. It's supposed to be smooth sailing; everything goes according to plan: get our classes done, we graduate, and we move on with our lives. But now it's like this whole thing is disrupting everything." She went on to share her disappointment, feeling as though all their hard work is being taken away from them. "It's upsetting," she added.
It has been a trying time for St. Augustine University, as the institution has been facing severe financial difficulties, resulting in delayed payroll and the loss of its accreditation. In December of 2023, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Board of Trustees voted to strip the university of its accredited status. Then, in February of 2024, Interim President Marcus Burgess sent an email to faculty and staff, notifying them of a delay in their scheduled payroll for February 9th. "I understand the tremendous impact this has had on you and your families," he wrote, as reported by ABC 11. "I am fully committed to supporting you through this challenging time."
Despite an appeal hearing with the Board of Trustees on February 20th, the committee ultimately upheld their decision to revoke St. Augustine's accreditation. The university responded, calling the decision "arbitrary, unreasonable, and inconsistent with the board's policies," but alumni have been calling for the resignation of the Board. With a petition gaining traction and close to 1,700 signatures, many are joining in the demand for change.
However, Board Chairman Brian Boulware is urging the community to have faith that the situation will be handled. "The board remains focused on preserving SAU's accreditation and stabilizing the university's finances under its new leadership," he stated in a recent statement. Although the future may seem uncertain, the St. Augustine University community remains hopeful that they will overcome these challenges and come out even stronger.
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