Saint Augustine’s University is facing an payroll freeze amid the HBCU’s ongoing financial challenges. SAU’s interim president, Marcus H. Burgess, sent out a email regarding the school’s delayed Feb 9th payroll.
“Our current financial situation, or lack thereof, has significantly hindered the operations across our campus, and I am acutely aware of the hardships it has caused,” interim president Marcus Burgess said in an e-mail obtained by WRAL.com.
“We are pursuing several opportunities around our greatest asset, our land. While we are on the brink of finalizing these transactions, the process has taken longer than anticipated. Despite my optimism when we last spoke on Thursday, February 8th, 2024, I was encouraged not to provide a specific date for the arrival of funds, and I sincerely apologize.
“No one’s taking accountability for what’s going on,” the mother, who wanted to remain anonymous, told WRAL news. She said her daughter and others dependent on financial aid for educational and living expenses are in flux. “Please do right by these students. That’s all we are asking,” she said.
The news comes amid the Raleigh university’s financial challenges, and significant leadership changes in the past few months. The university has also struggled to keep it’s accreditation due to said financial challenges.
Last December, the board of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) voted to remove Saint Augustine’s University from its membership. It is currently on probation with good cause and Saint Augustine’s will meet with representatives from SACSCOC’s appeals committee sometime between Feb. 19-21.
Two days after SAU lost it’s accreditation, Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail was terminated from her position and college president. In an interview with the News Observer in December, McPhail stated she was informed that Sunday that she was terminated for “unspecified reasons.”
Since then, SAU has appointed Dr. Marcus H. Burgess as interim president and Dr. Lynda Batiste as COO and Senior VP of Finance to provide leadership, management, coordination, and supervision of the college’s fiscal affairs, facilities, human resources, security, and information technology.
Saint Augustine’s University provided the following statement to WRAL News:
“I write to ensure our community and supporters that Saint Augustine’s University classes are proceeding as scheduled, per our academic calendar and university catalog.
The academic policies and guidelines outlined in our Academic Policies Handbook are the foundation of our commitment to delivering our students a comprehensive and uninterrupted educational experience. These policies dictate the duration and schedule of classes, and we remain steadfast in upholding them with the utmost diligence and integrity.
I encourage all students to continue actively engaging in their studies, participate in class discussions, and make the most of the diverse educational opportunities available. Our commitment to academic excellence remains unwavering, and we look forward to your continued diligence and dedication to your educational pursuits.
I also extend my deepest gratitude to our faculty, staff, supporters, stakeholders, and the broader community for your unwavering support of Saint Augustine’s University. Your dedication to our institution is deeply appreciated, and we remain resolute in our mission to provide a transformative educational experience for our students.
In conclusion, let it be clear that classes at Saint Augustine’s University are proceeding as scheduled, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to academic rigor and excellence. Together, let us continue to uphold the values and traditions of our esteemed institution, and I am confident that we will emerge more robust and united as a university community.”
A candlelight vigil will take place at the on-campus chapel at 5 p.m. on Feb. 18 in an effort to show physical and spiritual support to those who have been affected by the concerns of the university’s status.
*This story is still developing and will be updated as more info is provided.
