St. Aug.'s College to help Barber-Scotia stay open

In an effort to rebound from recent troubles, Barber-Scotia College officials announced they have forged a partnership with Saint Augustine's College in Raleigh.

Under the deal, Saint Augustine's will pay Barber-Scotia for classroom space for an adult-education program.

The affiliation will allow students to get federal student aid through Saint Augustine's. Federal aid was a major sticking point since Barber-Scotia lost accreditation two years ago. This semester, Barber-Scotia has no students.

After a luncheon at Faith Hall, Barber-Scotia announced other steps to move forward.

Allstate insurance representatives presented a $10,000 check. And a newly formed group, "The 1867 Society," is asking each alumnus to donate at least $1,867.

The college hopes to raise $100,000 at fund-raising events this weekend.

Historically black Barber-Scotia, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), was founded in 1867 as a seminary for the daughters of freed slaves.

Although a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) committee said the school's debts could be close to $1 million, Barber-Scotia officials today said that amount is lower now.

"We worked diligently with our vendors to come up with a payment arrangement, or to forgive our debt," said Thomas Robinson, chairman of the Barber-Scotia board of trustees.

Mable Parker McLean,BSC's interim president, said the school may return to a four-year, liberal arts program in the future. She also said she's interested in starting an after-school intervention program for middle-schoolers.

"Barber-Scotia over 139 years has never been a liability. It has always been an asset," McLean said.