March 26th 2024.
In a recent interview with Spectrum News, Dr. Marcus Burgess, the Interim President of St. Augustine's University, revealed that the North Carolina institution has taken legal action against the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in order to maintain its accreditation under a probation agreement.
During the interview, Phyllis Worthy Dawkins, the former president of Bennett College from 2017 to 2019, also shared her thoughts on the challenges faced by St. Augustine's and Bennett in their pursuit of accreditation. "It's a difficult situation when the possibility of losing an institution looms over you," Dawkins expressed to WRAL. She also recounted the intense 60-day period where Bennett had to raise $5 million to address their own accreditation issues. "It was a wild 60 days, but we managed to do it," she added.
Currently, St. Augustine's owes $20 million to SACSCOC. "We do not agree with SACSCOC's decision and we plan to appeal to a higher authority with evidence of our institution's progress in resolving non-compliance," Burgess stated. He also mentioned their plan to file a lawsuit against SACSCOC and request an injunction that would allow the university to remain accredited while the litigation is ongoing.
Burgess also acknowledged that the leadership's decisions have contributed to the university's current state. "Some of the positions we find ourselves in today are a result of past leadership decisions. However, we are taking steps to establish sound financial structures and working with the Terminus Municipal Group to restructure our debt and implement best practices for our fiscal management," he explained.
Aside from the legal battle, Burgess also expressed concern for the students who have been affected by the university's financial issues. He mentioned the delay in refund checks as a major setback for the students.
As the university prepares to shift to a remote learning curriculum in April, students are also getting ready to leave campus. According to a report by WRAL, they have been asked to vacate the premises by April 3rd.
Meanwhile, there have been calls for the St. Augustine University Board of Trustees to step down. Dr. John Larkins, a 1966 graduate of the university and a former trustee, issued a statement to the outlet, highlighting long-standing concerns about the board's governance. "The evidence shows that the SAU Board of Trustees has failed in their fiduciary duty to the university. The 2021 audit also noted the lack of oversight and governance by the board," Larkins stated. He also mentioned that the National Alumni Association has expressed their concerns and passed a vote of no confidence in the board in 2020.
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