Georgian Court University To Become Coed

After more than 100 years of educating only women, a private Catholic university in New Jersey is going

coed.

Georgian Court University in Lakewood announced Tuesday it will welcome male students in all undergraduate courses starting this fall. And beginning in fall 2013, men will be able to reside on campus and participate in sports — starting with basketball, soccer, cross country and track and field.

The university was founded in 1908 and is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, an international community of Roman Catholic women. It currently has more than 2,500 students.

The school says there was strong agreement among students, alumni, faculty and staff that coeducation was the best way to support the university’s mission.

Fewer than 60 women’s colleges remain in the United States.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)