RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Dr. Marcus Burgess, interim president of St. Augustine's University, said he is praying for a miracle.
“I fell in love with this place,” he said.
Dr. Burgess, who has led the university since December, says between the IRS lien and two years of unpaid creditors, time is tight.
“It will cost approximately $27 million to $28 million due to maintenance work that is still deferred, and $30 million to make the right decision,” he said.
He said there will be three pay periods this Friday due to the inability to pay salaries, but some educators support the university.
“I've had employees say, 'You're supporting us,' but it's really tough,” he said.
Burgess says he will be right there with the faculty.
“I'm in the same situation because the bills keep coming,” he says. “No matter what people think, I've never thought about quitting. I'll be here until the job is done.”
After the spring semester
Approximately 800 students are currently taking virtual classes.
All students were supposed to move off campus by Wednesday, but about 120 were found to still remain on campus.
Dr. Burgess said these students begged to complete their senior year on campus, given that their senior year was taken away from them due to the pandemic in 2020. Graduation is still set for May 4, he said.
“We are still excited to have our families here to cheer on our graduates,” he said.
Autumn schedule
Dr. Burgess said they plan to welcome back students this fall.
“We're looking at the fee structure. We're looking at what makes sense from a fiscal standpoint,” Burgess said.
He also said the school will continue without any sports.
“The only sport we're canceling is soccer,” he said.
Dr Burgess said he was grateful to Aladdin Food Services and other vendors for supporting the university.
“We are very grateful to Duke Energy, Wake County Water District, and many others who have worked with us,” he said.
He said he is most grateful to supportive alumni and individual donors.
“We have one mission and that is to fight for St. Augustine's Church,” he said.
Dr. Burgess said he remains optimistic and will fight to save the university.
“I came here to make a difference, and I'm not leaving until that change is made and we're on greener grass,” he said.
The university is currently implementing the Falcon Pride Initiative to help raise funds.
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