Federal
Scrutiny
Since Spring 2021, federal officials and national think tanks focused on higher education have turned their attention to St. Andrews University and it's relationship with Keiser University.
US Representative Kathy Manning
On June 14th, Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC 6th District) released a letter directed to the U.S. Secretary of the Department of Education. Her opening sentence shares her concern that “a fundamental shift in the mission and control structure of St. Andrews University" has occurred.
Congresswoman Manning presented the argument that fundamental changes that have resulted in new programs and campus locations require greater scrutiny from both the U.S. Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
SACS is the entity responsible for “accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states.” This is the same organization that stripped accreditation of St. Andrews Presbyterian College in 2006 and ultimately led to the merger of St. Andrews and Webber International University in 2011.
Manning has asked that U.S. Department of Education to keep Webber International University and St. Andrews University on “provisional status” rather that renew their federal aid eligibility certification.
The Department was asked to respond before the June 30, 2021, deadline but did not do so.
US Department of Education
During a congressional oversight hearing on June 24, 2021 with the Secretary of Education, several members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor asked Secretary Miguel Cardona about the for-profit conversion of private schools and specifically issues related to St. Andrews. The secretary replied that the Department was looking at the issues.
The Century Foundation
St. Andrews is also on the radar of The Century Foundation, a progressive, independent think tank that conducts research, develops solutions, and drives policy change to make people's lives better. The group pursues economic, racial, and gender equity in education, health care, and work.
On April 20, 2021, Senior Fellow Yan Cao testified about the issue of for-profit colleges converting to nonprofit. In her remarks before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor, she specifically cited St. Andrews as an example. She called Keiser University's recent influence, a "hostile takeover."