It's the end of an era for Russell Sage. This year's incoming class is the last to share a defining characteristic.

Russell Sage has a long history of promoting women’s empowerment and education. But come next year, both campuses will be fully co-ed.

Monday is the first day of classes, and while all students are welcome to take courses on the Albany and Troy campuses, only women can live in Troy.

The schools also have two different names. It’s Russell Sage College in Troy, and its other campus is Sage College of Albany.

The school’s board announced last November that the two will be coming together as Russell Sage College: Albany and Troy, and both campuses will be fully co-ed. Board Chair Patricia Sparrell says this will create better name recognition and save money.

The school is also planning to open a new women’s institute.

The decision was a bit controversial, but the plan is to be fully co-ed by fall 2020.