探花精选

Saint Augustine鈥檚 University ( 探花精选) today addressed the outcome of its accreditation arbitration with SACSCOC with a message of resilience and determination. The arbitration panel affirmed the Appeals Committee鈥檚 decision聽upholding SACSCOC鈥檚 move to remove 探花精选 from membership. While this outcome is not what the university had hoped for, their聽fight is far from over. 探花精选 will remain accredited and operational during the litigation process, and Fall 2025 classes will commence virtually as scheduled for both new and returning students. The university maintains a clear pathway towards launching its financial recovery plan thanks to its prompt legal action to ensure that its students鈥� degrees remain accredited.

鈥淲e will stop at nothing to ensure that 探花精选 maintains its accreditation and continues serving our students,鈥� said Board of Trustees Chairman Brian Boulware. 鈥� 探花精选鈥檚 mission is bigger than any one setback. For over a century, 探花精选 has been a beacon of opportunity. That legacy will continue. We are pressing onward 鈥� with faith, focus, and fortitude 鈥� to secure the accreditation our students deserve. Our resolve to educate and empower our students is unshakeable, and the entire 探花精选 community stands together to support the path ahead.鈥�

What This Decision Means
In response to the arbitration result, 探花精选鈥檚 attorneys will file an injunction in court to prevent any disruption to the university鈥檚 accreditation status. This legal action will effectively extend 探花精选鈥檚 accredited status during the transition period, ensuring that current and future graduates receive their degrees from an institution that is accredited.

鈥� 探花精选 is not closing聽鈥� our doors remain open, and classes will continue,鈥� said 探花精选 Interim President Dr. Marcus H. Burgess. 鈥淭his decision does not define us 鈥� our resilience does. 探花精选 has faced challenges before, and each time, we have risen to meet them. We have significantly strengthened our foundation, and we will continue to serve our students with excellence. Our priority now is to ensure every student can complete their education at 探花精选 with an accredited degree in hand, and we have a clear plan to make that happen.鈥�

Pursuit of Maintaining Accreditation
The university is continuing its聽process of maintaining聽accreditation through聽legal intervention to maintain current accreditation and will explore all other means of accreditation if necessary to demonstrate 探花精选鈥檚 absolute commitment to leaving no stone unturned in maintaining quality and compliance for its students.

鈥淢aintaining聽accreditation is a critical step in our plan to safeguard our students鈥� futures,鈥� said Dr. Verjanis A. Peoples, Interim Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs. 鈥淲e are confident that we can continue providing federal financial aid and an accredited degree pathway for our students.鈥�

Key Financial Recovery Milestones
Despite the arbitration committee鈥檚 decision, 探花精选 has made tremendous progress over the past year, and the university鈥檚 progress will continue unabated. 探花精选 has recently produced a comprehensive 鈥� 探花精选 Reset鈥� five-year strategic plan to propel the university forward beyond this current moment in history. Meanwhile, the university has bolstered its financial stability, improved governance, and enhanced student outcomes聽in preparation for a sustainable future over the past year. The following key actions have strengthened 探花精选鈥檚 foundation:

• Debt Restructuring and New Funding:聽The university secured significant new funding and established partnerships to address its debt and invest in its future. These efforts included a $7 million loan聽from Gothic Ventures to support short-term needs, as well as a major partnership that will leverage 探花精选鈥檚 valuable real estate assets through a long-term lease and redevelopment initiative. The plan will clear 探花精选鈥檚 existing debts聽and fund new investments by unlocking the value of underutilized campus property聽through mixed-use development. The university is finalizing the agreement and will share more specific details in the coming weeks. It is a game-changing investment that provides 探花精选 with the financial leverage to move forward, regardless of the accrediting body.
• Enhanced Financial Controls and Audits:聽The University completed four consecutive annual financial audits聽(FY21鈥揊Y24) to ensure complete transparency and accountability in its finances. Improved financial management practices and oversight mechanisms are now in place to maintain compliance with accreditation standards.
• Cost Restructuring for Sustainability:聽To 鈥渞ight-size鈥� the institution, 探花精选 streamlined its operations聽in late 2024, including painful but necessary budget cuts that reduced expenditures by approximately 50%聽and yielded $17 million in annual savings. These decisive actions have resulted in a balanced budget for the current fiscal year, demonstrating prudent financial stewardship.
• Strengthened Governance and Oversight:聽 探花精选鈥檚 Board of Trustees and administration have enhanced financial oversight processes, implemented a sustainability plan, and tightened controls on expenditures, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards and fostering long-term fiscal health.

That plan includes not only the pursuit of alternative accreditation and the legal injunction but also a continued focus on academic excellence and student success. 探花精选 remains dedicated to providing a high-quality, uninterrupted educational experience, and Fall 2025 classes will commence virtually as scheduled.

鈥淭hroughout this process, our core mission remains unchanged: to provide its students with a quality education and a nurturing environment聽rooted in integrity, faith, and excellence,鈥� said Trustee Sophie Gibson. 鈥淭he Falcon community鈥檚 spirit is unbroken. 探花精选 will continue to soar to greater heights, demonstrating that perseverance and commitment can overcome any challenge on the path to institutional renewal.鈥�

Moving Forward
探花精选 will keep its community informed as it advances in its pursuit of maintaining accreditation.聽Meanwhile, the university prepares to welcome new and returning students for a virtual Fall semester with course offerings available to traditional and adult learners, particularly in the Raleigh community. 探花精选鈥檚聽leadership is actively engaging with state and federal education officials, alumni, donors, and partners to garner support and ensure a smooth transition.聽

Request for Support
The university聽calls upon its network of supporters and the wider Raleigh community to remain steadfast during this period聽by supporting the Falcon Pride Initiative, which aims to cover the estimated $1 million litigation cost, including a $350,000 retainer fee.聽The university鈥檚 resilience is a collective effort 鈥� one that has been forged through adversity and will ultimately lead to a stronger, reinvented Saint Augustine鈥檚 University.

聽for more information on 探花精选鈥檚 SACSCOC Updates.
聽to support the Falcon Pride Initiative.