Historically Black College Saint Augustine's University (SAU), located in Raleigh, has announced a drastic cut in its workforce by 50% in a recent effort to tackle financial challenges and preserve its accreditation status. WRAL News released a detailed account of the layoffs, which described the elimination of 67 staff positions and reductions in expenses amounting to approximately $17 million compared to the last fiscal year.
In a communication to the campus community, detailed by The News & Observer, SAU outlined a comprehensive strategy aimed at ensuring compliance with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and securing its accreditation. Besides cutting staff positions, the university also plans to terminate 37 full-time faculty jobs and 32 adjunct faculty roles, and discontinuing certain under-enrolled programs. These staggering reductions come ahead of an essential accreditation meeting with the SACSCOC slated for December.
Financial adjustments of this magnitude reflect SAU's commitment to restabilization and sustainable future prospects. CBS17 reported Mr. Hadley Evans, Jr., Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees & Chair of the Finance Committee expressing the difficult nature of these decisions. "While we recognize the seriousness of these financial adjustments, these decisions are essential for safeguarding the future of Saint Augustine’s University and the students we serve," he said.
