Judson College, a 183-year-old private Baptist college and one of the nation's oldest universities for women, plans to close its doors and file chapter 11 protection, the Birmingham (Ala.) Business Journal reported. The Judson College Board of Trustees yesterday voted to take the drastic steps in what the college called a heartbreaking decision. It follows months of urgent fundraising efforts and the exploration of mergers and other options aimed at addressing the operating deficit for the college, which is located in Marion in Alabama's Black Belt region. The college will suspend academic operations after the summer term ends on July 31. Judson's board had previously approved a budget that was based on confidence in securing significant donors to close its deficit, but those funds never materialized. At the same time, enrollment had dwindled from 145 to 80 returning students after 41 seniors graduated at the end of April.