Saint Augustine's University needs 'brain surgery,' not board resignation, former trustee says

On Wednesday, WRAL News spoke with Dr. Allen Mask, who has previously served on the board for three years in the 2010s.

“There are a lot of accusations about mismanagement and this that and the other,” Mask said. I don’t know about all that. I know that revenue has been a big problem.”

Mask, who contributed medical stories to WRAL News for decades, was asked whether he thinks the current board members need replacing.

“I don’t know the entire board needs to be replaced, but I think somebody needs to come in and do some brain surgery,” Mask said.

Financial crisis: Saint Augustine's switching to remote learning in April; 'SAVESAU' calls for resignation of Board of Trustees

In addition to the reconstitution of the board of trustees, the groups are demanding accountability for those responsible for the mismanagement of the university’s fiscal affairs, including more than $10 million in unsupportable cash disbursements cited in the FY21 audit.

Students will transfer to remote learning as they’re sent home at the start of April. The move to remote learning comes as the school deals with a possible loss of accreditation due to financial issues.

“It’s been extremely painful,” Mask said.

'A class action lawsuit is foreseeable': Raleigh lawyer says St. Augustine's employees could sue if more paychecks are missed

Mask said his entire family attended Saint Augustine’s University, including his dad and siblings.

“My grandmother attended Saint Aug when it was called, ‘the Normal School,’” Mask said.

The private, Raleigh-based historically Black university relies on tuition, student fees and donations to pay its bills, Mask said. It doesn’t get an influx of taxpayer dollars like the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University and Appalachian State University.

“Being a private Episcopal school, they don’t have that infusion of cash,” Mask said.

Mask is urging the community to step up to support the 157-year-old university.

“Everybody asks questions about how did it get here? How did it get this way?” Mask said. “But, in my opinion, is it’s all revenue driven.

“If you didn’t have the financial problems they have, then a lot of these other things we’re so worried about would go away.”

WRAL News asked him if he thinks the university can survive.

“I think it can survive this,” he said. “It’s going to be people being self-starters and being willing to step forward to do something to help solve the problem.”

Saint Augustine's University has announced a shift to remote learning for students.

The statement says:

"This week, SAU hosted two student forums (in-person and virtual) and one faculty and staff forum to discuss the possibility of shifting to remote learning starting Easter break.

After receiving open dialogue, answering questions, and receiving feedback from students, parents, faculty, and staff, we decided to transition to remote learning for the remainder of the spring semester starting April 1st. While we strive to maintain the quality of education, it is also our utmost responsibility to ensure the safety, well-being, and dignity of the SAU community, especially our students. A select number of students, including student-athletes on the track team, international students, and students working internships will remain on campus until our commencement ceremony on May 4th. In addition, we will make accommodations to provide food service for the remaining students on campus.

We will remain in communication with all students and their families during this transition and handle all special conditions related to out-of-state students and additional inquiries related to housing, student accounts, and technology on a case-by-case basis."