Saint Augustine’s University Will Appeal Accreditation Decision

Saint Augustine’s University, a historically Black educational institution in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been on the precipice of losing its accreditation for the past two years. In December 2022, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) placed the HBCU on a one-year probation. This past summer, after a months-long appeal process, the SACSCOC decided to maintain the university’s accreditation and extend its probation through December 2024. Despite Saint Augustine’s University’s efforts to resolve the SACSCOC’s concerns, the commission recently voted to officially remove the HBCU’s accreditation at a meeting earlier this month in Austin, Texas. Notably, the commission found that Saint Augustine’s University had resolved all issues except those related to finances. Under SACSCOC’s policies, the university can appeal this decision and submit additional financial information through February 2025. If the commission’s concerns are satisfied, Saint Augustine’s University will be clear of all sanctions and maintain its accreditation. “SACSCOC could only consider information SAU presented as of November 18, 2024. Saint Augustine’s University has made significant progress even since that date, including finalizing the $70 million deal with 50 plus 1 Sports. The SACSCOC Board could not consider that information on Saturday [December 7] during our...