Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, will consider admitting transgender students next year in a major change for the 179-year-old Catholic women’s institution.

The decision was reportedly made in June by the school’s board, according to a report in the student paper, The Observer, this week.

President Katie Conboy notified staff in an email Tuesday of the school’s decision.

“This confidence from our Board underscores their commitment that as an employer, Saint Mary’s must stand firm in its position as an inclusive community leader, and that as educators, we should continue to create an environment where all women belong and thrive,” read Ms. Conboy’s email, according to the school paper.

A spokesperson from the college did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Saint Mary’s is a liberal arts college established by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. It has less than 2,000 undergraduate students.

There are fewer than 40 women’s colleges in the U.S., down from 230 about 60 years ago, according to the Women’s College Coalition.

A report this year said most of the country’s female colleges have moved to admit transgender women. The wave of LGBTQ activism was sparked in 2013 after an Asian trans woman was denied admission initially to Smith College in Massachusetts, CNN reported in May.

• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.