Precipitous enrollment drop at Saint Augustine’s

Enrollment at Saint Augustine’s College is down by greater than 70 p.c over final 12 months, WRAL reported.

After a two-week delay attributable to storm harm, SAU’s fall semester began Tuesday with about 200 college students enrolled, down from 700 final 12 months, based on WRAL. That’s a precipitous drop from greater than 1,100 college students in fall 2022, based on the most recent federal enrollment information. SAU’s enrollment has hovered round 1,100 for a lot of the final decade.

The enrollment decline comes amid latest management turnover, monetary challenges and accreditation points for the non-public, traditionally Black college in Raleigh, N.C.

SAU practically misplaced accreditation just lately as a result of monetary and governance points however finally prevailed in a authorized battle. The establishment stays accredited however is on probation till its subsequent assessment by the Southern Affiliation of Faculties and Colleges Fee on Faculties in December.

The Board of Trustees can also be below fireplace. A lawsuit filed by alumni and former trustees has accused board leaders of corruption and self-dealing, which the board has denied. The board additionally rejected a latest suggestion by native enterprise leaders that Saint Augustine’s take into account a merger with crosstown Shaw College, one other HBCU, which additionally faces monetary challenges.

SAU introduced final month that it had secured an preliminary credit score settlement of $7 million, and as much as $30 million altogether, to assist the college launch a multiyear strategic plan to regrow.