In light of the misinformation circulating through social media platforms, public forums, and recent media appearances—including the town hall hosted by Roland Martin—it is time to address these claims directly and restore clarity to the public narrative surrounding Saint Augustine’s University.

The Saint Augustine’s University Board of Trustees has intentionally maintained silence in recent months, not out of avoidance, but out of a sense of responsibility. By choosing restraint over rhetoric, our silence was not indifference—it was strategy. We have focused on repairing broken systems, restoring operational integrity, and navigating sensitive financial and legal matters that required discretion rather than debate. Our priority has been to secure funding, stabilize operations, and ensure the long-term survival of this historic institution.

We have refrained from engaging in public disputes to protect the university’s ability to negotiate with partners, respond to accrediting bodies, and operate with integrity in accordance with its legal obligations. However, as the university approaches a critical milestone in the accreditation process, and the nature and volume of false narratives circulated, it is time to clarify the facts. We must speak the truth plainly and directly.

The current challenges facing Saint Augustine’s University did not arise overnight. They are the cumulative result of a decade of administrative negligence, financial mismanagement, and a lack of accountability. The facts are as follows:

• In 2012, university leadership took a $6 million loan against the university’s $13 million endowment. No payments were made on that loan for seven years, causing the total to balloon with interest and fees. In November 2024, the loan was called by its creditor, resulting in the loss of $11 million from the endowment.
• In 2016, the university received several federal grants. Approximately 90% of those funds were misused or drawn down with fraudulent documentation, severely jeopardizing our credibility with government partners.
• In 2018, administrative staff coordinated with a vendor to manipulate financial records to falsify financial statements presented to the accrediting body, SACSCOC.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, the university received millions of dollars in federal relief funds. However, university staff wired a significant portion tounknown sources, and we referred the matter to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, where we await further action.
• No audits were completed from 2020 to 2024. The administration relied on pandemic-related waivers as an excuse, which masked the continued submission of inaccurate financial data.
• Between 2021 and 2023, the administration permitted students to enroll and graduate without Board approval, despite 76% of student accounts carrying balances exceeding $30,000. This practice undermined the university’s financial stability and compliance with federal aid regulations.
• From 2020 to 2023, the administration did not pay any payroll taxes to the IRS. Despite meeting in person with the IRS during this time, the administration failed to notify the Board of this critical liability information we discovered upon the termination of the previous president.
• From 2021 to December 2023, the administration willingly mislead the Board by intentionally withholding information and submitting false financial reports, resulting the in the noncompliance with several federal agencies and ultimately crippling the university’s ability to operate efficiently. A legally binding document, such as an official affidavit, supports this information, resulting in the immediate termination of the principals involved.

These issues are not allegations—they are documented realities. They represent a betrayal of public trust and a failure in leadership that has left the current Board and administration to do the hard work of repair. There is plenty of blame, and many individuals who now attempt to shift blame to the current Board were either silent or complicit in the past. At the same time, they held positions of power as their administration made those decisions.

It is critical to note that I did not join the Board of Trustees until 2019 and was elected Chairman in 2024 after most of these failures had already occurred. Furthermore, over 70% of the current Board members have only served within the last 18 months. We were not present when the damage was done, but we have accepted the responsibility of leading the recovery.

Nevertheless, our focus is not on finger-pointing—it is on rebuilding.

In that spirit, this Board and our Interim President have taken unprecedented steps to reverse years of decline, in less than 18 months:

• Completed four years of previously overdue audits.
• Restored payroll and employee benefits.
• Implemented cost containment measures and accountability frameworks.
• Secured temporary operating funds to maintain instruction and graduation.
• The Court dismissed a baseless lawsuit filed against the university’s leadership.
• Engaged openly with students, alumni, and the broader community while pursuing a bold campus master plan and accreditation recovery strategy.

Yet, our progress has been consistently undermined by false narratives fueled by individuals more interested in spectacle than solutions. Social media posts, public rants, and unfounded accusations have created confusion, harmed donor confidence, and jeopardized funding opportunities. Let us be clear: defamation is not advocacy. Our legal team has thoroughly documented every defamatory claim and is prepared to respond appropriately and in the proper venue.

We understand the anger, fear, and frustration many in our alumni community feel. We also know that social media commentary is not a substitute for verified evidence or legal due process. Saint Augustine’s University now needs unity, not division; hope, not hysteria; solutions, not slander. We are fighting for this university’s future, not just its reputation. That work continues, and we welcome everyone ready to contribute constructively to that mission.

We will not allow disinformation to define us. The work before us is far too important.

The Board of Trustees remains fully committed to the future of Saint Augustine’s University—its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. We invite everyone who still believes in the value of this institution to walk with us in truth, unity, and faith. Our goal is not to look backward in blame but to move forward with bold, transparent leadership that honors the legacy of this university and secures its rightful place for generations to come. Let this be a turning point—not in rhetoric, but in results. We remain committed to the students, faculty, alumni, and partners who believe in Saint Augustine’s University—and to ensuring its legacy survives and thrives. #BelieveInSAU

 

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