Saint Augustine's president: School in 'very dire' situation as fight for accreditation, financial stability continues
Leaders at Saint Augustine's University answered questions Monday about the financial future of the HBCU.
SAU Interim President Marcus Burgess spoke to the media after a week in which WRAL News learned that the university didn't pay its employees on time and owes millions of dollars to contractors and the IRS.
He admits the school is in a "very dire" situation, but said it will not shut down even as it fights to maintain its accreditation.
Burgess became interim president in December after the board fired president Christine Johnson-McPhail.
WRAL has learned Saint Augustine's failed to pay its employees on time several times over the last few months - including the most recent payroll on Feb. 9.
Burgess says employees have now been paid, but he says meeting payroll will still be a challenge as the university faces a cashflow problem.
Burgess says the university has hired a financial consulting team and is meeting with the IRS and others who are owed money.
"The issues we face did not begin yesterday, but I assure the community we are working feverishly to structure a cogent and viable plan to extricate this venerable institution," Burgess said.
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The press conference came a day after SAU students and alums met for a vigil at Saint Augustine's Chapel. Last week, Families of students told WRAL News their children hadn’t received tuition refund checks, with one family saying their child hadn’t received one in the fall semester either.
Burgess said one of the biggest challenges will be with Saint Augustine's accreditation. He's headed to Atlanta Monday afternoon for an appeals hearing with the school's accrediting organization.
Saint Augustine's has been put on probation after struggling with financial issues.
Burgess said if the school loses its accreditation, they will file a legal challenge.