Dear SAU Falcon Community,

As we approach the SACSCOC Annual Meeting this weekend in Austin, Texas, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the journey we have shared as a community and to call for unity among all members of the Saint Augustine’s University family. We recognize that the challenges we have faced this year have tested our resilience, but we are progressing together toward a brighter future.

This year has presented us with significant financial and accreditation challenges. However, thanks to the tireless commitment of our board, administration, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community, we have achieved meaningful milestones:

• We completed four financial audits for fiscal years 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, ensuring transparency and accountability in our financial practices.
• We secured a critical agreement with Gothic Ventures, ensuring operational continuity for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year.
• After a challenging period, we are proud to announce the restoration of employee payroll and health insurance benefits, reaffirming our commitment to the well-being of our staff.
• We implemented a comprehensive cost optimization strategy alongside a robust financial sustainability plan to better position our university for the future.
• We strengthened and improved oversight of essential financial policies, procedures, and internal controls, laying the groundwork for responsible governance.
• We successfully dismissed the lawsuit filed against the board of trustees by the SAVE SAU Coalition, allowing us to focus on constructive dialogue and shared goals.
• SAU’s partnership with 50 Plus 1 Sports retires our debt with a $70 million cash infusion and, for decades to come, provides ongoing revenue streams for our stakeholders, including the campus, students, and community partners.

While we understand that not everyone may agree on the methods used to navigate these challenges, we must remember that our ultimate goal is the same: the success and sustainability of Saint Augustine’s University. We must come together, respect one another’s perspectives, and support each other as we pursue our collective mission.

As we participate in the SACSCOC Annual Meeting, we carry the spirit of cooperation and determination. Let us stand united, demonstrating our commitment to excellence, integrity, and transparency. Together, we are more robust, and we can forge a path toward a thriving future for our beloved university.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the Falcon community. 

With Falcon Pride and unity,

Dr. Marcus H. Burgess, Interim President, Saint Augustine’s University
Brian A. Boulware, ‘95, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Saint Augustine’s University

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