The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has voted to remove accreditation for St. Augustine’s University following a special meeting Tuesday.

The university said it plans to appeal the decision, according to a statement released shortly after the announcement was made. This means the school will continue to be accredited, at least until graduation in May 2025, St. Augustine's said. You can read the university's full response below.

The historically Black university, established in 1867, has been on probation since July, after the SACSCOC voted to reinstate St. Augustine’s accreditation. The Raleigh university had a failed appeal for reinstatement in February.

“The unanimous reversal by the arbitration committee rightfully corrects the injustice inflicted upon SAU by SACSCOC’s initial ruling and underscores the university’s steadfast commitment to excellence and growth,” Brian Boulware, chairman of the SAU Board of Trustees, said in July following the reversal decision.

The association, which accredits colleges and universities in the South, initially ended the school’s accreditation in December 2023 after it said St. Augustine’s violated rules for financial responsibility and governance.

The university had been on probation for two years with the association prior to 2023 decision.

Earlier this year, according to a lawsuit, the IRS filed a $7.9 million tax lien against the university. The university also had troubles paying vendors for contract work, and salaries to their staff, court records showed.

The school said it would work to pay off the debt by selling off real estate in downtown Raleigh, as well as boosting fundraising efforts from alumni and boosters.

The decision by the SACSCOC Tuesday isn’t necessarily the end of St. Augustine’s, however. In the response issued Tuesday by the school, St. Augustine's said, "The vote to remove Saint Augustine’s University from membership is not considered a final action. The removal from membership would only be finalized if the University chose not to pursue an appeal."

"Since Saint Augustine’s University plans to appeal the decision, the University will remain accredited now until the final decision of the appeals committee and, if necessary, an arbitration panel. SAU’s December 2024 and May 2025 graduates will receive degrees from an accredited institution," the university said.

The university could also try to switch accrediting organizations. Bennett College, an HBCU in Greensboro, lost its accreditation with the same association because of financial problems in 2018.

Bennett received new accreditation with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools in 2020.