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Salve Regina University is a private, coeducational Catholic institution of higher education founded by the Sisters of Mercy and located in Newport, Rhode Island. Established as the Salve Regina College, in 1934 the charter for the school was granted by the state of Rhode Island to the Sisters of Mercy of Providence. Originally a female institution, the College’s doors first opened to 58 women in 1958; by 1973 the school became officially coeducational and in 1991 university status was achieved. Today, Salve Regina University is firmly committed to sustainability and “seeks to conduct its activities in an ecologically sound, socially just and economically viable manner” with the goal of creating an “environmentally literate and responsible community”.
Academic Programs
Salve Regina University’s mission is to prepare “men and women for responsible lives by imparting and expanding knowledge, developing skills, and cultivating enduring values.” The University’s mission statement continues, “Through liberal arts and professional programs, students develop their abilities for thinking clearly and creatively, enhance their capacity for sound judgment and prepare for the challenge of learning throughout their lives.” Salve Regina University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and has been so since 1956.Salve Regina University offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, including nearly 50 undergraduate majors. The University’s undergraduate programs include Administration of Justice; American Studies; Art and Art History; Biology and Biomedical Sciences; Business Studies and Economics; Chemistry; Cultural and Historic Preservation; Education; English and Communications; Environmental Studies; Global Studies; History; Mathematical Sciences; Modern and Classical Languages; Music, Theatre and Dance; Nursing; Philosophy; Political Science; Psychology; Religious and Theological Studies; Social Work; Sociology and Anthropology; and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. In addition to these and the several graduate-level degree programs, Salve Regina University also offers 200 study abroad programs in nearly 50 countries.
Student Life
Salve Regina University has a total enrollment figure of nearly 3,000, including more than 2,000 undergraduate students. The student body is split approximately 30% / 70% between male and female students, respectively, with students hailing from nearly 40 states and at least 20 foreign nations. As a residential institution, Salve Regina University offers several first year residential halls and an abundance of upperclass housing options. The University’s 80 acre campus is located in the heart of Newport’s Bellevue Avenue Historic District and more than 20 of Salve Regina University’s structures are of historic significance.Salve Regina University recognizes a number of student-led clubs and organizations which cater to a wide range of interests including academic, professional, spiritual, recreational, and special interest groups. As an NCAA Division III school, Salve Regina University’s varsity athletic teams compete in the Commonwealth Coast Conference and the University is a member of the New England Football Conference.