Imagine starting college with high hopes, only to find alleged unsanitary dorms, scarce food, and sudden fees! Students at a new Norman Park college are speaking out about conditions they say were far from what was promised. What would you do if your dream campus turned into a nightmare?
Norman Park, Georgia, has become the epicenter of a burgeoning controversy surrounding the South Georgia Institute, a newly established college now facing serious accusations of misleading both its prospective students and former staff. Reports have emerged detailing alleged discrepancies between promised campus living conditions and amenities, and the reality experienced by those who arrived, painting a picture of unfulfilled expectations and significant distress. This unfolding narrative highlights critical issues within the realm of higher education oversight and institutional transparency.
The alarm was initially raised by Anthony Holmes, a former assistant football coach for SGI, who communicated his grave concerns to The Moultrie Observer. Holmes, who worked at the institute for a brief period during a football camp central to these allegations, claimed that upon players’ arrival on July 28, the dormitories were in an unfit state for habitation. His accounts described filthy, backed-up toilets containing urine and feces, compelling students to seek off-campus restroom facilities, a stark contrast to any reasonable expectation of collegiate housing.
Further corroborating these claims are the poignant testimonies from students and parents. Bastein Long, a recruited football player, detailed how he and his peers were presented with images of pristine dorm rooms during recruitment, only to encounter extensive mold, particularly within the shower areas, upon their arrival. Additionally, he noted several leaking air conditioner units and the absence of promised facilities such as a weight room and a fully operational cafeteria, deepening the sense of betrayal among the new student body. An anonymous parent echoed these sentiments, recounting a similar experience of promised ideal conditions versus a grim reality, even witnessing air conditioning units being removed from dorms.
Beyond the living conditions, the students also reportedly faced challenges concerning their basic sustenance. The anonymous parent disclosed that his son, recruited for the football program, was led to believe three meals a day would be provided. However, students allegedly received only a gallon of milk, a box of cereal, a loaf of bread, and some fruit to be shared amongst them, creating an environment of inadequate nutrition. Compounding these financial pressures, a week into their stay, parents were allegedly asked to pay an additional $1,500 for uniforms, a request that sparked further indignation and prompted the former coach to alert parents to the true conditions.
Attempts by The Moultrie Observer to solicit detailed information and a response from South Georgia Institute were met with a general email from Tabitha Curry, the college’s president and director of admissions. While she enthusiastically announced the start of their college program, she dismissed earlier summer activities as merely interviews, not official programs. Curry also firmly denied any instances of students practicing under unsafe conditions, attributing one incident to a student’s undisclosed pre-existing heart ailment, which, she stated, led to their non-acceptance for safety reasons.
The institution’s operational context also presents complexities. South Georgia Institute’s website indicates a partnership with Northwest University for online classes, granting students an associate of arts degree through its accreditation. The college itself is located on the property of the old Georgia Baptist Conference Center in Norman Park, a site that was embroiled in controversy just last year when an out-of-town investor sought to convert it into elderly apartments, a proposal met with strong local opposition. Despite SGI’s claims of revitalizing local infrastructure, public records suggest the property remains owned by Norman Park Realty, an entity with a New York address.
A critical development in the unfolding saga was an alleged failed fire inspection of the campus dormitories. Student Bastein Long recounted how players were moved to a meeting room in another building during the fire marshal’s inspection. He claimed the dormitories lacked marked emergency exits, had non-working fire alarms, and uninspected fire extinguishers. Conversely, Tabitha Curry acknowledged minor renovation issues being addressed but maintained that areas in use were compliant and that the institution’s attorney believed a long-standing certificate of occupancy was in place. However, the state Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner has since confirmed an “active and open investigation,” precluding the release of inspection reports.
The culmination of these issues led to significant withdrawals. According to former coach Holmes, all the football players eventually left South Georgia Institute and returned home. This mass exodus was further underscored by an email from Jason Deuman, director of the Northwest University Partnership Program, explicitly stating that SGI’s facilities had not passed a recent inspection and outlining procedures for students wishing to withdraw from online classes. Adding to the confusion, a letter from SGI’s Chancellor, Dr. Patricia Barnes, informed students that housing applications were closed and suspended until late September 2025, if fees due in July 2025 had not been paid, while simultaneously urging students to log in for classes starting in August.
Amidst the swirling allegations and student departures, SGI’s Athletic Director, Dalice Payton, posted on Facebook about a new partnership with the Mitchell County Parks and Recreation Department, designating Centennial Field in Camilla as the “Home of the Huskies Football.” This suggests a relocation or restructuring of their athletic program. Furthermore, a letter from Tabitha Curry to players and parents offered a weekly hotel rate in Pelham, near Camilla, indicating a shift away from the Norman Park dormitories for housing, perhaps in response to the facility issues and the failed inspection. The future of South Georgia Institute and its programs remains uncertain as investigations continue.
