North Carolina

Historically black NC women's college sues to keep accreditation after lost appeal

GREENSBORO, N.C. — One of the two remaining historically black private women's colleges in the United States is suing to keep its doors open after losing its appeal to have its accreditation restored.

[ALSO READ: Accrediting board rejects appeal from historically black NC women's college]

Bennett College filed a federal lawsuit Friday, the same day the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges announced it would uphold its decision to revoke the North Carolina school's accreditation.

[ALSO READ: North Carolina historically black women's college surpasses fundraising goal]

Bennett president Phyllis Worthy Dawkins tells news outlets a federal judge in Atlanta granted a temporary restraining order, preserving Bennett's accreditation while the court case continues.

Dawkins says her team was "devastated" with the appeal's outcome, having raised $9.5 million to prove Bennett could survive financially. That's nearly twice their fundraising goal.

[ALSO READ: Bennett College works to raise $5M in less than 40 days to keep accreditation]
[ALSO READ: High Point University makes donation to historically black NC women's college]

Bennett has also applied for accreditation from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.

Associated Press

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