"St Augustine's University: A Tale of Staff Cuts and Student Resilience"
Financial Challenges and Loan
The university's financial predicament is a significant concern. The million loan at a high interest rate adds to the existing debt burden. This has led to difficult decisions being made, such as the staff cuts. It showcases the complex financial situation that SAU is currently facing and the measures it is taking to try and navigate through these challenges.These financial issues have not only affected the staff but have also had a ripple effect on the students. One former student, Samaria Simpson, vividly illustrates this. She was the valedictorian of her high school in Fresno, California, and chose to leave her home state to attend SAU with a full-ride scholarship. She turned down offers from prestigious schools like UC Berkeley and Howard University. However, upon arriving at SAU, she witnessed the ongoing issues and ultimately had to leave after just one semester.
Student's Journey and Decision
Samaria's story is a poignant one. She had high hopes when she first arrived at SAU, believing it to be a great opportunity. But as the problems persisted, she realized that it was in her best interest to leave. She expressed her resentment, stating that she could have gone to UC Berkeley on an almost full-ride scholarship or to Howard with multiple scholarships. She had many other opportunities that she had to give up.Despite the setbacks, Samaria is determined to succeed. She is currently doing well in her first semester at Fresno City College and hopes to transfer and study physical therapy. Her experience at SAU has made her realize the importance of making the right decisions for her academic career.
Parents' Perspective and Warnings
Samaria's mother, Kenya Combs, also shares her concerns. She believes that the school should shut down as it is already failing the students. She emphasizes that her daughter has wasted time and money that cannot be regained. She sees the school's actions as a disservice to not only her daughter but to all the students there.Now, both Samaria and her mother are using their experience to caution others. They hope that others will not make the same mistakes and will be more cautious when considering attending SAU or any other institution with similar financial issues.
