105-acre (42-hectare) campus in Providence, R.I. A Roman Catholic institution, it was established in 1917 by the Dominican order as a school for men. The college became coeducational in 1971 and now enrolls relatively equal numbers of men and women. About 70 percent of the full-time faculty hold doctorates, and Dominicans still teach some courses. The college operates on the semester system and grants degrees from the associate through the doctoral level. Undergraduate enrollment is roughly 3,600 students, about a third of whom attend part-time. The college attracts students from across the United States. Admission is selective, with approximately two thirds of the applicants being accepted. Many of those accepted were high school valedictorians or National Merit Scholarship finalists. Students are required to live on campus through the sophomore year. Many upperclass students live in a college-owned apartment complex. Undergraduate fields of study include liberal arts and sciences, education, business, computer science, fine arts, theology, and social work. A five-year program in engineering is offered in conjunction with other institutions. All undergraduates take courses in Western civilization, natural science, social science, philosophy, religion, mathematics, and fine arts. They must also demonstrate proficiency in writing. The Providence-in-Europe program allows interested students to study at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland or the University of Oxford in England. There is also a summer program in Pietrasanta, Italy, and direct-exchange programs with universities in Japan and Canada. Some 20 to 35 percent of the students pursue advanced studies within a year of graduation. Graduate students at Providence number about 2,500. Graduate programs are in education, business management and administrative services, physical sciences, social sciences, and theology. Some 65 extracurricular activities are available to students, including the volunteer program Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the pastoral council, student government, the campus radio station, musical and theatrical groups, and publications. About 80 percent of the undergraduates participate in intramural sports. Varsity sports teams, nicknamed the Friars, participate in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. School colors are black and white. A variety of events take place in downtown Providence, and students can often get discount tickets for performances at the Trinity Square Repertory Company, the Providence Performing Arts Center, and the Providence Civic Center |