- Court-stamped documents were filed on August 14 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia to continue SAU’s active litigation in defense of the University’s mission, students, and community.
- SAU successfully secured a preliminary injunction on August 15 to maintain the university’s accreditation, ensuring that classes will begin on September 2, 2025
- SAU will remain accredited and operational as legal proceedings continue.
- Saint Augustine’s University was notified on July 14th that the arbitration committee affirmed the ruling of The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), removing SAU’s membership.
- SACSCOC received the SAU’s Letter of Arbitration on March 14th.
- The arbitration proceedings shall be completed within 90 calendar days of the convening of the arbitration.
- SAU remains accredited by SACSCOC through the Arbitration Process.
- The University received an action letter from SACSCOC on March 5 outlining the February 2025 decision and providing an opportunity for SAU to submit their dispute to arbitration.
- Saint Augustine’s University can submit a notification of arbitration to the SACSCOC President within 10 calendar days of the Appeals Committee’s decision. If the notification is submitted within that timeframe, Saint Augustine’s University will remain an accredited institution on Probation for Good Cause until the arbitrators render a decision.
- The arbitration proceedings shall be completed within 90 calendar days of the convening of the arbitration.
- SAU remains accredited by SACSCOC through the Arbitration Process.
- SAU was granted an Appeal Hearing on February 27, 2025 in Atlanta, GA.
- SAU argued in its appeal that new and verifiable financial information material to the Board’s adverse decision was evidence of grounds for the adverse action to be remanded to the Board.
- SACSCOC decided to uphold its decision to remove SAU from membership.
- The University received an action letter from SACSCOC on January 14 outlining the December 2024 decision and providing an opportunity for SAU to appeal that decision.
- Saint Augustine’s University sent its Letter of Appeal to SACSCOC on January 24.
- SAU will be granted an Appeal Hearing in February. The University is awaiting a decision on that date.
- SAU remains accredited by SACSCOC through the Appeals Process.
- On December 7, 2024, SAU appeared before the SACSCOC Board for a decision on its membership. SACSCOC voted to remove SAU from its membership but will allow the university to submit new financial information and appeal.
- Saint Augustine’s University was notified on July 21st that the arbitration committee overturned the ruling of The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), reinstating SAU’s membership with the sanction of Probation for Cause until December 2024.
- SAU remains accredited by SACSCOC.
- Saint Augustine’s University sent its Letter of Arbitration to SACSCOC on March 8th.
- SACSCOC received the SAU’s Letter of Arbitration on March 11th.
- The arbitration proceedings shall be completed within 90 calendar days of the convening of the arbitration.
- SAU remains accredited by SACSCOC through the Arbitration Process.
- The University received an action letter from SACSCOC on February 27 outlining the February 2024 decision and providing an opportunity for SAU to submit their dispute to arbitration.
- Saint Augustine’s University will send its Letter of Arbitration to SACSCOC on March 8.
- The arbitration proceedings shall be completed within 90 calendar days of the convening of the arbitration.
- SAU remains accredited by SACSCOC through the Arbitration Process.
- SAU was granted an Appeal Hearing on February 20, 2024 in Atlanta, GA.
- SAU argued in its appeal that significant steps had been taken to correct areas of non-compliance with SACS-COC standards and that the University had the capacity to remedy areas of non-compliance within the next 12 months.
- SACSCOC decided to uphold its decision to remove SAU from membership and denied an extension of Probation for Good Cause until December 2025.
- Attorneys representing Saint Augustine’s University are planning to file an injunction requesting that courts weigh in on this case. During that injunction, SAU’s SACSCOC accreditation remains in place.
- The University received an action letter from SACSCOC on January 11 outlining the December 2023 decision and providing an opportunity for SAU to appeal that decision.
- Saint Augustine’s University sent its Letter of Appeal to SACSCOC on January 19.
- SAU will be granted an Appeal Hearing on February 19, 20, or 21. The University is awaiting a decision on that date.
- SAU remains accredited by SACSCOC through the Appeals Process.
At its meeting on December 5, 2023, the SACSCOC Board of Trustees took the following actions regarding the accreditation status of Saint Augustine’s University:
The Board voted to remove the University from SACSCOC membership for failure to comply with:
Core Requirement 4.1 (Governing board characteristics), Core Requirement 13.1 (Financial resources), Core Requirement 13.2 (Financial documents), Standard 13.3 (Financial responsibility), Standard 13.4 (Control of finances), Standard 13.6 (Federal and state responsibilities) of the Principles of Accreditation, and failure to meet the provisions of Good Cause.
Saint Augustine’s University will appeal the decision of the SACSCOC Board of Trustees. Saint Augustine’s University remains an accredited institution on Probation until the Appeal process concludes.
The University’s leadership team continues to address the issues cited by the SACSCOC’s Board of Trustees and will work collaboratively with SACSCOC’s staff to restore full compliance across all Principles of Accreditation.
During the last two years, SAU has taken unprecedented action to protect and advance the fiscal health of Saint Augustine’s University. These efforts are reflected in the significant progress in areas such as increased enrollment, increased alumni and employee giving, increased grant activity, increased endowments, reduced student debt, improved upward mobility of graduates, and year-end balanced budgets. In addition, the University has increased the number of student internships, external partnerships, and strategic partnerships and alliances. While we at SAU are disappointed with the decision made by the SACSCOC Board, we are not discouraged; the entire SAU community has renewed its commitment to fulfill the University’s vision and remain focused to carry out our mission.
Our board of trustees, leadership team, faculty, staff, students and alumni look forward to collaborating with SACSCOC during the coming weeks to demonstrate that we have addressed the noncompliance issues to ensure the university’s good standing in all accreditation principles.
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
Issued August 18, 2025, by SACSCOC
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The following is a list of critical questions to prepare for during the near and long-term. We will continue to build out questions and responses as additional information becomes available.
1. Why is the university filing for bankruptcy now?
After careful consideration, the Board determined the need to create a new path forward.
2. How did the university accumulate such significant debt, including what is owed to the IRS?
SAU’s financial challenges developed over time due to structural pressures and rising operating and accreditation-related costs. The Chapter 11 filing is a proactive step to address all obligations—including IRS debt—in a single, transparent, court-supervised process and reset the University’s financial foundation.
3. Could this have been avoided, and if so, what went wrong?
The current Board is focused on moving forward responsibly. Strategic decisions—like entering Chapter 11 and avoiding costly litigation—reflect a commitment to transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
4. Will the university continue operating during the bankruptcy process?
Yes, we will continue to offer certification programs in several areas, including technology and nursing.
5. Why is the university losing accreditation?
Our accreditation agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), voted to remove our accreditation due to our financial challenges.
6. When did leadership first know accreditation was at risk?
In 2023 and 2024, SACSCOC voted to remove accreditation due to our financial challenges. To protect our students and the university, we filed a lawsuit in 2025 to retain it, and the courts granted the school an injunction, allowing us to remain accredited.
7. Why did the university decide to stop fighting the accreditation decision?
As the Board considered all avenues to regain financial security, it was clear that continuing to pour substantial resources into the lawsuit would hinder that process.
8. What does losing accreditation mean for current students and their degrees?
Student work and degrees that are completed through May 15 were done so under accreditation and therefore valid.
9. What options are available for students who are currently enrolled?
Unfortunately, they will need to finish their degrees at another accredited institution.
10. What are teach-out agreements?
A teach-out agreement is a formal, written contract between two educational institutions ensuring that if one institution (or a program) closes, its current students can complete their studies elsewhere without interruption or additional costs. It guarantees credit transfer, admissions, and similar tuition rates.
11. Can the university realistically survive given it has filed for bankruptcy and lost accreditation?
Yes. The Board is building a robust plan to move the university forward. This plan will be shared with stakeholders at an appropriate time.
12. Will the university remain open throughout this process?
Chapter 11 is a restructuring tool, not the end of our university, and the Board is building a plan to ensure the university’s sustainable future.
13. What is the long-term plan to stabilize and rebuild the institution?
The Board is actively developing a comprehensive and forward-looking plan to stabilize its operations and ensure its long-term viability. This plan will be shared with stakeholders at an appropriate time.
14. Why are these major developments happening at the same time?
Once the decision was made to reorganize under Chapter 11, the Board had to make the difficult choice not to continue the accreditation lawsuit.
15. Why did the interim President leave after such a short tenure?
Interim President Dr. Jennie Ward-Robinson has stepped down, and the Board expresses its appreciation for her service. The Board has appointed Dr. Verjanis A. Peoples to be Interim President.
16. Who is currently leading the university, and is leadership stable?
The Board has appointed Dr. Verjanis A. Peoples to be Interim President and has continuity plans in place.
17. How will this affect current students, especially those close to graduating?
Students will be offered teach-out agreements with another school.
18. Will alumni degrees be impacted or devalued by the loss of accreditation?
No, their degrees were obtained under accreditation.
19. Will there be layoffs, program cuts, or other operational changes?
The Board is currently reviewing every aspect of the institution to create an optimal reorganization plan.
20. How can SAU stakeholders trust the current university’s leadership?
Leadership recognizes that trust must be rebuilt through transparency, accountability, and consistent action. The decision to file for Chapter 11 is a critical first step, as it establishes a structured, court-supervised process that ensures oversight, financial discipline, and clear communication with stakeholders. Through this process, leadership is committed to demonstrating responsible stewardship and keeping stakeholders informed every step of the way.
21. What is the status of the university’s land and assets as part of this process?
The Chapter 11 process is designed to provide a structured court-supervised pathway for the university to protect key assets, including real estate and land, strengthen financial stability, and implement a sustainable plan for long-term success.