SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY (THE "UNIVERSITY"), LOCATED IN NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, IS A SMALL COMPREHENSIVE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY WHICH OPENED IN 1947 AND IS ACCREDITED BY THE NEW ENGLAND COMMISSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION, INC., FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. THE UNIVERSITY WAS FOUNDED BY AND CONTINUES TO BE SPONSORED BY THE SISTERS OF MERCY. THE UNIVERSITY ENROLLS APPROXIMATELY 2,700 MEN AND WOMEN IN A VARIETY OF ACADEMIC PROGRAMS. THE UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT POPULATION IS PREDOMINATELY FROM THE NORTHEAST REGION OF THE UNITED STATES. THE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS ARE BASED ON THE LIBERAL ARTS. THE UNIVERSITY OFFERS BACCALAUREATE AND MASTER DEGREES, A CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED GRADUATE STUDY AND A PH.D. IN HUMANITIES AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.