Federal Authority & Institutional Recognition
University St. Augustine's holds accreditation and institutional authority validated by Presidential Executive Order, federal court mandates, and state-level designations.
Signed September 15, 1981 by President Ronald Reagan. Officially recognized and prioritized for federal strengthening grant allocations. Reinforced via the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Implementation Plan on January 15, 1985.
Statutory rights, corporate existence, and funding access are protected by landmark federal court orders from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the U.S. Federal Court of Appeals.
In strict compliance with the Second Morrill Land-Grant College Act of 1890, USA acts as a designated land-grant institution with programmatic focus on agricultural sciences, engineering, mechanical arts, and clean energy technology.
The institutional lineage as a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) was recognized under U.S. Presidential Executive Order 12320 (dated September 15, 1981) and reinforced via the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Implementation Plan on January 15, 1985.
This federal designation ensures priority access to institutional strengthening grant allocations across federal departments, supporting programmatic infrastructure, faculty recruitment, and research capability.
The Reagan Library has confirmed that "Shaw College At Detroit" is designated as a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), with the U.S. Federal District Court of Michigan ordering University St. Augustine's as its Successor on January 9, 1985.
Reagan Library Confirmation — 9.27.2018
"The historical data confirms 'Shaw College At Detroit' is designated Historically Black College and University (HBCU). The U.S. Federal District Court MI Ordered University St. Augustine's as the Successor — January 9, 1985."
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
The statutory rights, corporate existence, and funding access of the university are protected by a series of landmark federal court orders.
January 9, 1985 & November 27, 1995
Established the continuous entitlement of the institution and its educational cohorts to federal funding sources, including Pell Grants, SEOG assistance under the Higher Education Act (HEA), and NCLB/ESSA allocations.
June 18, 1987 & August 28, 1987
Directed state regulatory agencies (including the Michigan Department of Education and LARA) along with national accrediting bodies to maintain institutional licensing and preserve the historic national accreditation matrices valued over $50,000,000.
The land-grant status was operationalized through the structural transfer of 100 acres of the historic Clinton Valley complex — repurposed from a legacy medical site into an active center of research and higher education.
This designation mandates a programmatic focus on agricultural sciences, engineering, mechanical arts, and clean energy technology to cultivate community-wide economic parity and public health equity.