Written By Lexx Thornton
A month after an arbitration decision went against Saint Augustine’s University in its fight for survival, the university announced Friday that it has successfully obtained a preliminary injunction to maintain its accreditation, ensuring that classes will begin on Sept. 2 as scheduled.
The injunction means that for now, SAU will remain a fully accredited institution.
“This is a tremendous win for Saint Augustine’s University and, most importantly, for our students,” said SAU Interim President Dr. Marcus H. Burgess. “Thanks to our supporters, we will open our (virtual) doors on Sept. 2 as an accredited institution, just as we promised. We have said all along that we will stop at nothing to maintain our accreditation and continue serving our scholars—and we meant it. “
The injunction was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on Thursday. The ruling prevents any disruption to SAU’s accreditation status. At the same time, the university continues its legal challenge to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges’ (SACSCOC) effort to remove it from its membership.
In a statement, SAU said this was important because it allows current and incoming students to “proceed with confidence” into the fall semester.
“We are immensely grateful for the outpouring of support from our alumni and friends. Their commitment ensured we had the resources to take this crucial legal step to protect our students and our mission,” said Sophie L. Gibson, who was newly appointed Chair of the SAU Board of Trustees on Friday. “This injunction is not just a legal reprieve; it is a testament to the power of the Falcon community. It allows us to continue educating our students without interruption as we vigorously defend SAU’s future in court, and it shows that we soar higher when we soar together. We remain steadfast in our mission to provide education grounded in integrity, faith, and excellence – now with renewed optimism that SAU’s accreditation and legacy will endure.”
SAU said the National Alumni Association of Saint Augustine’s University played a pivotal role by donating $100,000. That money covered the filing of the preliminary injunction, and several individual alumni and supporters also stepped forward with significant contributions that bolstered SAU’s legal efforts.
“Our faculty and staff are fully prepared to begin the semester, and our commitment to providing an uninterrupted, high-quality education remains stronger than ever,” Burgess said. “We are deeply thankful to every alum, donor, and friend who stepped up to make this possible. Your support has been a beacon of hope for SAU during this challenging time.”
