On June 26, 2025, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Board of Trustees placed Johnson C. Smith University on probation. This decision was based on the JCSU administration’s failure to comply with:

• Standard 13.3 – Financial responsibility
• Standard 13.4 – Control of finances
• Standard 13.5 – Control of sponsored research/external funds
• Standard 13.6 – Federal and state responsibilities 

https://sacscoc.app.box.com/s/m3ftzgryvo5290z4z702nf54iac6oomx 


This means JCSU made a series of neglectful financial decisions that reflect long-term mismanagement of its financial resources. The administration has shown an inability to operate in a fiscally responsible manner, failed to maintain control over externally funded programs, and did not meet federal and state responsibilities under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. 


Now, many JCSU students are devastated to learn that the administration has decided to let go of our University and Experiential Learning Manager, Ms. Usher, someone who has been instrumental in helping students access career opportunities. The same administration that failed to manage finances responsibly is now claiming she doesn’t fit into the budget. This is just yet another product of the bigger issue of financial transparency at JCSU.

Currently, our Career Services department is staffed by only one full-time employee and supported administratively by a single employee. The department is increasingly reliant on work-study students to meet its growing demands, a model that is not only unsustainable but also inequitable.

Career Services is the cornerstone of student success beyond the classroom. In today’s competitive job market, it serves as our primary gateway to internships, fellowships, graduate programs, and employment opportunities. Without adequate staffing and resources, students are left without the guidance and support necessary to navigate their professional journeys. 

Investing in Career Services is not optional, it is essential. Just as we prioritize academics, we must prioritize career readiness with equal urgency.

Career Services, like many essential departments on campus, is currently funded through the Title III grant, a temporary and unsustainable source of support. The administration at JCSU is fully aware of this financial fragility. The challenges we’re facing today are not isolated incidents; they are part of a longstanding pattern of systemic issues that have gone unaddressed for far too long.

Despite these ongoing challenges, we continue to witness exorbitant spending on:

• Promotions
• New hires in other departments
• Large-scale campus renovations
• And even the demolition of an entire building

This begs the question: Why don’t we have the funding for the things students value most?

Career Services is our main outlet to secure opportunities during and beyond our education, especially critical in today’s job market.

Why is it a question of IF they have the budget for what students need, and not HOW do we get the budget? 


Students, corporate sponsors, alumni, and our broader community deserve full transparency and accountability regarding how institutional funds are allocated. 

If resources are not being directed toward the essential needs of students, then where are they going?

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission has already found that JCSU’s administration failed to uphold basic standards of financial responsibility, including proper control over finances and the management of sponsored research and external funds. These findings raise serious concerns. 

We demand a clear and public accounting of expenditures, including how student tuition, donor contributions, and grant funding are being used. 

The JCSU community will no longer accept vague assurances, we are calling for truth, transparency, and responsible stewardship of our collective investment in this institution.

What We Want: A Commitment to Transparency, Accountability, and Student-Centered Decision-Making

• Increased Investment in Student and Professional Support Services: Students deserve robust support systems that prepare us for life beyond the classroom. This includes expanding Career Services, mental health resources, academic advising, and mentorship opportunities.
• Quarterly Public Reports on Financial Strategy and Accreditation Efforts: We call for consistent updates from JCSU administration detailing how the university is addressing financial challenges and safeguarding our accreditation. These reports should be accessible and student-inclusive.
• Meaningful Financial Transparency: We are not asking for unrestricted access to every internal document, but we do expect clear, consistent, and accessible communication about how university funds are prioritized and spent. This includes publishing annual budgets, major financial decisions, and updates on fundraising and debt management in formats students can understand. We also expect transparency around how tuition is allocated, how large donations are used, and how various initiatives and projects are being funded.
• Evidence of Student Satisfaction in Decision-Making Processes: Administrative decisions must reflect the lived experiences and feedback of the student body. We ask for clarity on how student voices are being actively considered in strategic planning and policy changes.

We’re calling on all JCSU students, alumni, and friends to come together and protect the parts of JCSU that make our institution so great. 


Sign the petition. Show them it really matters.