RALEIGH, NC– Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) announced Friday that it has successfully secured a preliminary injunction to maintain the university’s accreditation, ensuring that classes will begin on September 2, 2025, as scheduled, with SAU remaining a fully accredited institution. The injunction, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on August 14 and granted this week, prevents any disruption to SAU’s accreditation status while the university continues its legal challenge to the recent accrediting body’s decision. This development ensures that current and incoming students can proceed with confidence into the Fall 2025 semester, knowing that an accredited university will recognize their education and degrees.
The filing of the preliminary injunction was made possible by the overwhelming support of the SAU community. In particular, the National Alumni Association of Saint Augustine’s University contributed a pivotal donation of $100,000 – funds that covered the filing of the preliminary injunction – and several individual alumni and supporters stepped forward with generous contributions to bolster SAU’s legal efforts.
“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, the newly appointed Chair of the SAU Board of Trustees. “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.”
What This Means
Under the protection of the preliminary injunction, SAU will remain accredited and operational as legal proceedings continue. The university’s lawsuit, filed against the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), seeks to overturn the decision that would remove SAU from membership. The injunction ensures that SAU’s accreditation is safeguarded during this process, meaning students can enroll, receive financial aid, and continue their studies with complete confidence that their degrees will be accredited while the case is underway. In addition, the injunction provides SAU with time to present its case and pursue alternative accreditation avenues if necessary, all while students’ education continues uninterrupted.
“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 September 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. 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. 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.”
