LAWRENCEVILLE, Va. – Saint Paul’s College is considering the possibility of merging with another institution as one of its options after the school’s accreditation wasn’t reaffirmed, according to the college.
Saint Paul’s is appealing a June denial of its accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The private historically Black liberal arts college in Lawrenceville will retain its accreditation during the appeals process, but has announced that it will not operate classes for its traditional campus-based student population this fall semester.
Interim president and CEO Claud Flythe says the school is looking at several options. A news release from the school did not elaborate on the merger possibility.
Flythe says Saint Paul’s has worked with other schools to help some students transfer their credits.
On Monday, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that the financially struggling college announced that most operations have been suspended as the historically Black school founded in 1888 appeals the loss of accreditation.
“We made a prudent decision, and it was a difficult one to make,” Kimberly Tetlow, vice president for institutional advancement, told the Times-Dispatch.
The college’s accreditation appeal is slated to be heard Aug. 20, Tetlow noted.
This fall, Saint Paul’s will offer evening classes in an accelerated-degree program for working adults and keep open the child-care center, which serves about 100 children from the community.
Saint Paul’s will continue offering classes to returning students in an accelerated degree program at four locations throughout the state.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch story can be read here.
