AMHERST, Va. – This summer, Sweet Briar College has been working to make a change for its students.
A couple of years ago, the college was on the verge of closing, but hundreds of alumnae came together to stop that from happening. With a new president in house, the all-women college is looking to start new.
Sweet Briar College students can look forward to some changes in the next school year.
“What President Woo is doing is innovative and it's new, and it's something not seen before. And that is going to set Sweet Briar apart from small private institutions,” Caroline Thomas, a junior at Sweet Briar College, said.
Starting next school year, 2018 to 2019, students will see their comprehensive package for tuition, fees and room and board drop from more than $50,000 to $34,000.
"The education at a premier liberal arts institution-- you know, very small setting, with excellent faculty members and that really empowers and nurtures our women students-- doesn't have to be expensive,” Meredith Woo, president of Sweet Briar College, said.
Over the course of three months, the school developed a proposal for three curricular changes.
They include changing the academic year to a short-term semester to help give students opportunities for research, internships and studying abroad. Not only that, but undergraduates will be eligible for a grant of up to $2,000 to help fund these experiences.
"I'm also excited to see the 3-12-12-3. I'm excited to see how it works and it's new. And changes are different, but changes are good,” Thomas said.
Despite facing closure two years ago, the president said, it is time to take a new direction and to continue the mission of education.
"I think that is so unique at Sweet Briar at this particular historical moment, and which is why it is possible for us to undertake a very comprehensive change," Woo said.