CAMPUS PLANNING - Roger Williams University

2002-2003 RWU Presidential Fellowship Report: Campus Planning
1. Building a love of learning as an intrinsic value
2. Preparation for careers and future study
3. Development of undergraduate research
opportunities
4. Service to the community
5. Creating a global perspective
6. Nurturing a caring and respectful community
History / Identity
Institute
The University’s roots can be traced back to 1919, when
Northeastern University School of Commerce and Finance
opened a branch at the Providence YMCA. The next year,
Northeastern’s School of Law opened a Providence
division, offering a LL.B. degree. Northeastern’s presence
in Providence grew again in 1938, when the University
opened the Providence Technical Institute, offering a
certificate program in mechanical engineering.
After an amicable agreement to separate from Northeastern
in 1940, the YMCA Board of Directors established the
Providence Institute of Engineering and Finance. The new
institute was only in its second year when the outbreak of
World War II forced its closing for the duration of the war.
The School reopened in 1945 under a new name: The
YMCA Institute of Engineering and Finance. Over the next
five years the Institute grew, serving veterans through both
the evening division and the newer day division. An
important milestone was reached in 1948, when the state
authorized the Institute to grant an Associates Degree.
Junior College
As the Institute grew, the need for its separation from the
YMCA became increasingly apparent, and in February of
1956, it received a state charter to become a two-year
degree granting institution under the name of Roger
Williams Junior College. The new Junior College, the
states first, began offering liberal arts studies in 1958 and in
1964 the liberal arts program was established leading to an
Associate in Arts degree.
College
By the early 1960s, the institution, still based at the
Providence YMCA, was growing rapidly. As a result of
that growth, and the state’s decision to create its own public
junior college, the school sought approval to become a
four-year college. The College acquired 63 acres of
waterfront land in Bristol from the Fulton family and in
1969 completed construction of its new campus. The
Providence campus, 1,000 students strong, continued to
house the Business and Engineering Technology programs.
The new Bristol campus offered a full liberal arts program,
enrolling 1,500 students. In addition, the College offered
evening programs in both Providence and Bristol.
University
Today, full-time day and evening program are offered at
the Bristol Campus and evening courses and selective day
courses are offered at the Providence Campus. The College
of Arts and Sciences and the Schools of Business,
Engineering, Justice Studies, Law and the School of
Architecture, Art & Historic Preservation are now housed
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