Dive Temporary:
- Saint Augustine’s College delayed the beginning of its fall semester by two weeks because it recovers from damages wrought by Tropical Storm Debby and secures funding for pupil refunds and different bills.
- The non-public school, in North Carolina, moved its first day of courses from Aug. 19 to Sept. 3 and requested college students to push again their move-in dates from Aug. 15 to Aug. 27-28.
- “Falcons, whereas I do know this delay is irritating, I would like you to know that this can be a new day,” Interim President Marcus Burgess mentioned in a message to campus. “As we work to enhance this College, we promise to speak commonly with you about all updates and enhancements throughout campus.”
Dive Perception:
The storm hit Saint Augustine’s at a weak time for the establishment.
The college simply had its accreditation restored on enchantment, although it’s on probation for trigger till December. The Southern Affiliation of Faculties and Colleges Fee on Faculties had beforehand moved to tug its accreditation in December 2023 over monetary and governance points.
Saint Augustine’s — a traditionally Black establishment based in 1867 by the North Carolina’s Episcopal diocese — is working to revive energy and water in a few of its buildings, in addition to make some upkeep upgrades to services, throughout the two-week delay, in keeping with Burgess.
He additionally famous that the college must finalize “main funding” wanted to pay overdue pupil refunds and employees salaries from the latest semester.
The college is asking that college students use the two-week interval to complete their Free Utility for Federal Pupil Assist paperwork, class registrations, housing functions and different administrative duties.
In a Wednesday video message, Burgess described the affect from Tropical Storm Debby as “devastating.” The storm hit North Carolina with tornadoes, flooding and heavy rains this month, resulting in a number of deaths within the state.
Burgess additionally pointed to a deep upkeep backlog and previous monetary points — together with distributors able to stroll away from the establishment due to nonpayments. Amongst different challenges, the college has additionally had thousands and thousands of {dollars} in tax liens filed in opposition to it by the IRS.
Within the spring, the college despatched college students residence early in a pivot to distant studying to deal with its monetary points, in keeping with native media studies. It wasn’t till later within the yr that the college affirmed it will enroll college students within the fall semester.
In Wednesday’s video, Burgess mentioned Saint Augustine’s has introduced on new management, labored to refine its funds, instituted a brand new studying administration system and brought different actions to stabilize its funds and operations.
“We promise to have extra actions and occasions to maintain you engaged on campus,” Burgess mentioned in his written message. “We promise to proceed to seek out methods to assist make school extra reasonably priced for you. And we promise to proceed to employees our campus with form, caring, and supportive people who’re right here that can assist you succeed.”
