300 students to enroll after tumult at Sweet Briar College

SWEET BRIAR, Va. (AP) — Sweet Briar College says nearly 300 women are scheduled to enroll in the upcoming academic year.

Sweet Briar President Phillip Stone calls the commitments from returning and new students a "starting point" to get the 114-year-old women's college back on track after a tumultuous spring and summer.

The private liberal arts college was scheduled to close in late August after its former president and board said the school's financial challenges were insurmountable. But a fierce campaign by former students ultimately led to a mediated settlement, sweeping in new leadership and millions in donated dollars.

Sweet Briar's new governing board met Tuesday by teleconference. Among its actions, it set 2015-16 tuition and fees. They will remain the same at $47,095.

In the spring semester, the school's enrollment was about 530 students.