The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges board of trustees voted to remove the historically Black college in Raleigh from its membership. According to SACSCOC policy, SAU will be placed on probation – with accreditation – while it appeals the decision. SAU will receive an official letter regarding the decision on Jan. 11, and must respond with a request to appeal within 10 days.
“The work has already begun to appeal SACSCOC’s decision, and we will remain steadfast during this process,” acting SAU President Leslie Rodriguez-McClellon said in a statement. “While we are disappointed by SACSCOC’s decision, we are confident and unified in our commitment to fulfill and complete our mission.”
Rodriguez-McClellon was appointed acting president on Tuesday after the school’s board of trustees fired President Christine McPhail Sunday. McPhail, who was appointed in 2021, succeeded her late husband, Irving Pressly McPhail. In a statement announcing Christine McPhail’s firing, the school denied allegations she reportedly made of a hostile campus environment.
“The Board denies the unfounded allegations Dr. McPhail has made against the University, and the Board is prepared to defend itself and the institution,” the school said in the statement.
The withdrawal of college accreditation usually results in the loss of federal funding such as grants and loans that leave financially vulnerable campuses at risk of closure. SAU will be able to award offer financial aid to students during the appeal process.
SAU officials contend the school has taken actions over the last two years to improve its fiscal health as well as progress on student retention and graduation rates, alumni giving, graduates’ social mobility, grant activity, endowments, reduced student debt, and balanced budgets.
“We will stop at nothing to ensure that SAU maintains its accreditation,” board of trustees Chair James E.C. Perry said. “We are experiencing one of the most important moments in the institution’s history. Our charge to everyone associated with the university is to comply with all policies and procedures, advance the institution’s mission and division
