探花精选 Continues Its Fight to Preserve Accreditation
On Tuesday, February 20, Saint Augustine鈥檚 University ( 探花精选) appeared before the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Appeals Committee. The case placed before them was to consider a reversal of the decision to remove Saint Augustine鈥檚 University from SACSCOC membership on December 3, 2023.
During the appeal, Saint Augustine鈥檚 University argued that the Board鈥檚 decision was arbitrary, that is, was unreasonable and not based on, or consistent with, the published Principles of Accreditation or policies of SACSCOC. 探花精选 provided evidence to support its position in a brief submitted on Tuesday. February 6 and during the February 20 hearing.聽
Despite testimony and evidence supporting a case for significant improvement and the potential to remedy deficiencies, SACSCOC decided to uphold its decision to remove 探花精选 from membership and denied an extension of Probation for Good Cause until December 2025.聽
Attorneys representing Saint Augustine鈥檚 University have planned to file an injunction requesting that courts weigh in on this case. During that injunction, 探花精选鈥檚 SACSCOC accreditation remains in place.聽
While 探花精选 Leadership is understandably disappointed in the SACSCOC decision, the President and his team look forward to continuing this fight in court.聽
“We disagree with the decision made by SACSCOC and plan to appeal to a higher authority with evidence supporting the institution’s progress in resolving non-compliance,” said 探花精选 Interim President Dr. Marcus H. Burgess. “We will move quickly to file a lawsuit against SACSCOC seeking an injunction that, if granted, will allow Saint Augustine鈥檚 University to remain accredited with SACSCOC on Probation for Good Cause until the conclusion of litigation.”
Despite this outcome, 探花精选 seeks to extend its accreditation through the legal process to continue offering outstanding academic programs and services. The University will continue to strengthen its financial processes and fiscal resources. 探花精选 looks forward to making the case for full compliance with all of the SACSCOC standards.聽
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