St. Augustine's University, College Board respond after SAT site found closed
Several students and their families showed up to Saint Augustine’s University on Saturday to take the SAT exam, only to leave confused and concerned.
One family told WRAL News a security guard told them they were not administering the exam.
WRAL News sought out answers, as to how this could happen and what happens next.
University spokesperson Demarcus Williams said the whole situation was due to a miscommunication.
“There was a miscommunication between SAT and the university regarding the campus’ availability for testing to take place Saturday, June 1st,” he said in an email.
The SAT exam is often one of the first steps a student takes as they prepare for college. The College Board runs the SAT program.
WRAL News asked the College Board a series of questions, including what the compensation is for testing sites and whether they were notified that the site would be closed.
Holly Stepp, the executive director of external communications and media relations for the organization, sent us this statement via email:
“College Board works with established testing centers and other education organizations to provide testing sites where there is a demand from students. We know it’s disappointing when students are not able to test as planned. Test centers make individual decisions about whether or not they can administer the SAT, and they are instructed to inform College Board if they need to close. We did not receive such notification from this center and our several attempts to confirm their readiness to test were unanswered. Testing center staff receive honoraria for administering SAT Weekend, but are not paid if they don’t conduct their duties.
"The June SAT is the last SAT administration until August. Aside from a potential June makeup test later this month, College Board does not administer other tests at this location. We are working with the test center to schedule students for a makeup exam later this month.”
WRAL News asked if there was an opportunity to relocate the students, given the fact that the university did not respond.
“While we make every effort to connect with testing centers and confirm readiness prior to the test administration date, often test centers that do not respond are still able to administer the test successfully," Stepp replied. "We are still working with the test site as well as other possible sites for a make-up exam.
"We will contact impacted students as soon as those details are finalized. We know students work hard to prepare for the exam and we regret that students registered in Raleigh were not able to test as planned.”
All of this happened just one day after a group of alumni sued to remove the university’s board of trustees. WRAL News has covered the HBCU’s financial struggles over the last several months.
That incident led to a flood more parents worried about upcoming ACT tests scheduled at the university.
Saint Augustine’s University will be ready for the June 9 and July 13 tests, according to Williams. The ACT also confirmed that the June 9 test is still scheduled to go on as planned.
“This matter has been resolved and the campus is ready for the upcoming ACT and SAT testing dates. SAT has contacted students to confirm the dates.”
Williams said the university is all set for June 15 as a makeup date. He said the SAT will contact students who plan to attend in order to confirm.
