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Providence College Profile

Providence, Rhode Island

Providence College Profile

Providence College was established in 1917 as a private liberal arts & sciences institution affiliated with the Dominican Order of the Roman Catholic Church. The college is composed of undergraduate, and graduate school programs within the City of Providence’s western community of Smith Hill. Providence College’s network of private educational facilities offer comprehensive undergraduate, and graduate programs in several different fields including biological sciences, business, public health, performing arts, sports management, business, and social work. PC prepares students for careers in the above-mentioned undergraduate schools through educational, and certificate programs. The school itself is located in hill top community of Smith Hill, which is approximately 2 miles west from downtown Providence.

The college is unique because it’s located within the historic neighborhood of Smith Hill with it’s Colonial Style homes within a short bus ride to the city. The school is very spread out geographically for a city school with facilities starting on Douglas Ave to the east and continuing along Eaton Street up to River Ave to the west. The southern point of the campus footprint lies on Eaton Street in the heart of Smith Hill, the northern most point of the facility can be found on Admiral Street.

As you can see, the college’s footprint is large for a private suburban school with 105 acres. PC’s educational landscape offers students a professional education while still allowing students to enjoy a close-knit city community. The Smith Hill campus offers students a college town community without boundaries within close proximity to the state’s largest city. The campus has approximately 45 buildings including lecture, residential, research, studio, resource centers, and dining facilities. The internal campus setting also provides students, employees, and alumni with several types of services including health, physical fitness, library, cultural meeting places, and several large green areas.

The issue of student housing on campus is a challenge for Providence College because the school requires it’s freshman and sophomores to live on campus which reduces the total number of student housing to 3,100. PC has developed new apartment style housing facilities on campus for upper classman to help reduce the need for off campus housing. The school actively competes for local real estate resources within the general area of the college to help students enjoy campus life. Local real estate brokers have also purchased several local residence buildings along Eaton Street over the years to convert into new residential facilities for students to enjoy.

The physical layout of PC’s campus is unique to suburban Providence because the school only has metal gates on the eastern edge (lower campus) off Douglas Ave, and Eaton Street. The school’s main entrance is Harkins Gate that welcomes students to Harkins Hall along a campus green that starts at River Ave and winds east to Huxley Ave. The school uses natural waist high stonewalls as natural barriers for entrance to the campus. The school has several formal entranceways that welcome students and parents to the area including new roads up the hill to Alumni Hall and the Eaton Street gates to the Smith Center for the Arts. Another interesting observation about this hill top community is the students themselves. Providence College is a very mixed community with local residents, students, tourists, and commercial facilities all within the city’s landscape. You will find students wearing PC apparel in moderation but mostly you will find students and local residents embracing the city culture by not relieving school colors.

PC has developed 4 freshman resident facilities within the campus landscape to provide housing that’s in close proximity to several green areas, lecture halls, and the Slavin Student Center for easy access to student life facilities. PC is a medium sized suburban school that has links to Providence on a 24-hour basis including government buildings & services, music & theatre productions, sporting & cultural events, museums, nightlife, and restaurants. PC’s Smith Hill location also allows students to enjoy additional nightlife on College Hill in close proximity to Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) by taking the weekend school shuttle.

The internal campus setting provides students and employees with several types of student services including physical fitness, library services, and cultural meeting places and dining halls. Providence College’s observed focal points of reference during the campus tour were the row of academic buildings along the rear of Harkins Hall, and campus life buildings including Slavin Center, Peterson Recreation Center, Alumni Hall, McDermott Quad and the Phillips Library, which are the main internal student life areas of the upper campus. Students also use these multi-story facilities to socialize and talk about school and life. The external observed focal points for the college can be found along Huxley Ave on Raymond Field with students enjoying several small green areas along the perimeter of the school.

The published demographic information for the university describes a culturally diverse student population with students from all across the world. Providence College has developed several different programs, within it’s educational network to offer students a Liberal Arts and Science, Research, and a Comprehensive education format to enhance it’s commitment to different types of career endeavors. The college has also developed independent affiliates with several global universities to highlight it’s commitment to global learning. Below is a description of demographics for PC’s campus in suburban Providence Rhode Island.

The College is home to approximately 1,749 male, and 2,202 female full time students; PC also has a small graduate school population with 302 male, and 491 female students enrolled. The average age of a freshman is 18 years old. 87% of students are from out of state, mostly the northeast States. Students on campus provide a diverse multi-cultural makeup including students from 41 states, 14 foreign countries, and Canada. 76% of BC students are Catholic, 6% are Protestant, 9% are Greek Orthodox, and 8% claim no religious affiliation. 76% of students are white, 2% are African American, 2% Asian Americans, and 4% are Hispanic, and 14% race unknown.

Published Academic Standards for Admission Programs

Providence College has a small educational system, which offers Liberal Arts, and Sciences, Research, Public Health, and Business programs. Below is a specific list of under graduate admission requirements.

Student Housing

The purpose of student housing is to provide safe and reasonable accommodations for students living away from home. The issue of housing and dormitory life is a critical element of overall campus life because students spend a large amount of time in their rooms. Student housing units historically come in 3 different styles including traditional corridor, suite, and apartment style units.

Providence College only guarantees housing for freshman & sophomore students who have filed their intent the college by the stated deadline. Housing is available through a lottery system for upper classman who have continuously registered as full time students. PC currently has 3,100 students living on campus, which is approximately 78% of it’s students. Housing resources on campus are situated within several different villages including the Upper Campus Quad, and the Lower Campus apartments off Eaton Street. The college has developed new apartment style-housing units for upper classman within the campus off Eaton Street to keep more upperclassman on campus. Information about housing can be found on the quick links page of this document.

Off Campus Housing

Providence College has been described as a small working class residential community in commuter distance to Providence. The reason I have mentioned the overall community of Smith Hill is to re-assert the point that PC’s network of affiliated campuses has encapsulated it’s real estate holdings within the area. The campus footprint allows almost every student to have housing within walking distance to the campus. The issue of off campus housing has a different feel to it compared to other university off campus housing demands.

The demand for housing, especially off campus housing is usually a tough issue for institutions attempting to keep students within the general geographical area. The local streets around PC have seen several local real estate brokers buying up residential buildings and developing housing networks over the past few years. These multi-story housing units can be found down the hill on Eaton Street, and Douglas Ave. Information about off campus housing can be found on the PC’s quick links page of this document.

Campus Life

Providence College is a multi-cultural campus environment that provides students with an excellent social, and educational atmosphere. The admissions demographics paint a picture of a very diverse community with students from all over the world. The local community of Smith Hill/ Providence only adds to the college’s international status because the community has multi-cultural roots as well. PC also addresses the issue of ecology in a positive way. The physical environment is reasonably clean and well maintained and the economic conditions are favorable to students and local residents due to the available services in walking distance to the school. The emotional climate and culture of the entire Providence College community is a combination of intellectual and social due to it’s close relationship with the hill top residential community. The school’s mature student population, educational, and athletic resources makes PC an attractive institution because it offers students real world professional experiences in Providence and nearby Boston, while providing social relationships with local organizations and community groups through student activities for everyone to enjoy throughout the year.

The college also thrives on it’s physical and intellectual relationships with several local colleges and universities including Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) located in the College Hill section of Providence. These schools connect to each other on several RIPTA Bus Lines as part of Providence’s mass transit system. Students at PC can also enjoy student life in Boston, which is 1 hour away by train. Students flock to Boston each year to enjoy the city campus lifestyle in regard to activities, socialization, theatre, sports, and history. The City of Boston can be considered one the nations main college cities because it has several distinguished institutions, and a mass transit system that can connects them to the Boston cityscape.

This issue of school culture is also a very important part of campus life because everyone wants to have a connection and emotional fit to their new school and community. PC is first, and foremost a college that is linked physically and emotionally to the Roman Catholic Church. PC has done a great job developing positive social systems with it’s students by providing a series of coordinated programs including cornerstone workshops and seminars for freshman students to advance these studies. This type of process provides a foundation for learning and personal growth providing over 109 academic clubs, student organizations, and over 19 intramural sports activities.

Campus life at PC is more than academic excellence; it’s about building personal relationships with students and facility that continues throughout each student’s career. The school also offers students the ability to enjoy school sports, performing arts, history, cultural events, restaurants, and local museums. For example, Providence & Boston has hundreds of venues to enjoy the previously stated activities including the theatre district, Boston Garden, Fenway Park, Boston Commons, Faneul Hall Market place, the North End, and Harvard Square. PC also has a strong athletic footprint on campus with several large venues for students to participate in, or to cheer for.

Students at PC can walk up the hill to Raymond Field to watch field sports or they can enjoy PC’s Hockey Team play within Schneider Arena. Providence College’s men’s, and women’s athletic teams also play several sports including basketball, and volleyball within Alumni Hall. PC participates in 17 NCAA Division I varsity sports for women and men and the overall exercise facilities within the campus are fantastic with students enjoying the Peterson Recreation Center on a daily basis.

Public Transportation

Providence College has developed a student shuttle system that connects students with several areas of Smith Hill including Providence’s transit system through several different shuttle bus routes. In formation about this service can be found on the quick links page of this document. The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) have several bus stops on Eaton Street for the #55 Admiral/ Bus Line for Providence College and local residents of Smith Hill. This valuable bus service connects to all of Providence’s transit lines and regional train services for Amtrak and T.F. Green Airport.

Regional Public transportation resources can be found within Providence Station on Gaspee Street that link with trains to suburban Massachusetts, and lines to suburban Rhode Island (Newport) through (RIPTA & MBTA). Amtrak also uses Providence Station as a major hub within it’s Northeast Corridor. This complex train system also allows riders the ability to travel to downtown Boston, T.F. Green, and Logan Airport in approximately 45 minutes. People who live, work, and visit Providence usually travel by some type of mass transit. Students should be encouraged to purchase a metro card to get around. Mass transit information can be found at: www.RIPTA.com

Providence itself is located within close proximity to the 2 northeastern states of Massachusetts, and Connecticut, which make it convenient to several suburban communities and highway networks. The city itself also has several main roadways that connect the community to major state highways including the Rhode Island Turnpike (Route 95) that links Boston and suburban Connecticut, which is the main highway corridor on the eastern seaboard. Shopping, restaurants, and national hotel chains can be found within these major transportation networks after a short drive from the campus.

Community Profile

The Smith Hill area of Providence Rhode Island has been described in different ways, including a quiet suburban community centered around it’s local college and a tourist heaven due to it’s geographical location to the City of Providence. The neighborhood has a normal amount of restaurants, retail, and entertainment resources for a small campus community. The hill top area can also be considered a working class residential community with colonial style homes and apartment buildings lining several streets. The community also has several shopping areas on Smith Street located on the western edge of PC’s campus. Student population and historical neighborhood architecture can be found mainly within 4 blocks of the main gates within the overall neighborhood. The greatest number of residents in this area is in fact students, and employees of PC.

The community has a real suburban/welcoming type feel to it because a large number of people live, work, and study within the area. Smith Hill can also be considered a commuter town because large numbers of local residents travel to nearby downtown Providence to work. The Suburbs of Providence are a maze of local neighborhoods that are unique to the people who live and work in them; the city of is no exception. Smith Hill can be considered a mixed residential area because you have commercial, residential, cultural, and intellectual all within the same block with people walking around the PC campus on their way to work, or home. The areas around Eaton, and Smith Streets are the major pedestrian walkways in Smith Hill for students, residents, and commuters because it’s really in the middle of the community.

The following demographics for the City of Providence describe a multi-cultural community within a total population of 175,255 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. P.C. has a strong relationship with this diverse community. An example of this commitment can be observed through Providence College’s community services handbook that describes educational programs, health care programs and services, legal programs and services to local residents who may require community help.

A Census Bureau community survey highlights several characteristics to describe the population including: 48% of residents are male, 52 are female. 54.5% of residents are white, 14.5% are African American, 25% are Hispanic or Latino, and 6% are Asian. The median age of population is 28 years old. 74% of residents are 18 years old or over and 10% of city residents is over the age of 65. The issue of housing in Providence is also interesting. 92% of all housing units within the city are occupied. 65% of housing units are renter-occupied, while 35% of units are owner-occupied. Only 8% of total available housing was vacant.

Local weather

Weather is also an issue to consider for students preparing for a college experience. Rhode Island enjoys all four seasons of weather including rain and snow. Northeast weather patterns sometimes allow for temperatures to drop below 32 degrees for a considerable amount of time during the winter. Rhode Island also gets it’s share of rain during the spring and summer months as well.

Providence College Quick Links

  • Home Page: www.providence.edu
  • Maps & Directions: www.providence.edu/admission/campus+directions+to+campus.htm
  • Admissions: www.providence.edu/admission
  • Financial Aid: www.providence.edu/admission/undergraduate+financial+aid
  • Student Activities: www.providence.edu/student+life/student+activities
  • Student Clubs & Organizations: www.providence.edu/student+life/student+activities/clubs+and+organizations
  • Recreation & Intramural Sports: www.providence.edu/student+life/intramurals
  • Performing Arts Tickets: www.providence.edu/student+life/performing+arts
  • Career Services: www.providence.edu/student+life/services+for+students/career+services
  • Student Center: www.providence.edu/student+life/student+activities/slavin+center
  • Public Transportation Services: www.providence.edu/student+life/living+at=PC/transportation
  • Information Technology Center: www.providence.edu/student+life/services+for+Students/information+technology
  • Medical Services: www.providence.edu/student+life/services+for+students/health+center
  • Student Housing: www.providence.edu/student+life/living+at+PC/on-campus+residence+living
  • University Meal Plan: www.providencecollegedining.com
  • Off Campus Housing: www.providence.edu/student+life/living+at+PC/off-campus+living
  • Student Parking: www.providence.edu/student+life/safety+and+security/campus+parking

    • Providence Rhode Island Area Hotel Quick Links Page

    Saunders Inn at Brown University
    101 Thayer Street
    Providence, Rhode Island 02903
    Providence Biltmore Hotel
    11 Dollance Street
    Providence, Rhode Island 02903
    The Hotel Providence
    139 Mathewson Street
    Providence, Rhode Island 02903
    Radisson Hotel Providence Harbor
    220 India Street
    Providence, Rhode Island 02903
    Providence Marriott Downtown
    1 Orms Street
    Providence, Rhode Island 02904
    Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown
    58 Weybosset Street
    Providence, Rhode Island 02903
    Providence Hilton
    21 Atwells Avenue
    Providence, Rhode Island 02903
    The Westin Providence
    1 W.Exchange Street
    Providence, Rhode Island 02903
    Courtyard by Marriott Downtown
    32 Exchange Terrace
    Providence, Rhode Island 02903

    Below is a list of accommodations approximately 20 minutes from Providence College within the T.F. Green Airport facility in Warwick Rhode Island.

    Sheraton Providence Airport
    1850 Post Road
    Warwick, Rhode Island 02886
    Radisson Providence Airport
    2081 Post Road
    Warwick, Rhode Island 02886
    Best Western Providence Airport
    2138 Post Road
    Warwick, Rhode Island 02886

    City of Providence Transportation Links

    Providence Regional Train & Bus Services

    Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Regional train service to Boston via the Providence/Stoughton Line. Line originates at Providence Station, 100 Gaspee Street. Information about service can be found at: www.mbta.org

    Organized Tours of Providence Rhode Island

    Providence Museums & Galleries

    Below is a sample list of Museums & Galleries in the City of Providence Rhode Island. A complete list can be found at: www.providenceri.com/ArtCultureTourism/museums.php

    Culinary Archives & Museum at Johnson & Wales University (401) 598-2805 or www.culinary.org

    Restaurants in Providence Rhode Island

    Complete information about hotels, restaurants, shopping, museums, and general tourism activities in nearby Boston Massachusetts can be found in the document “ Everything in Boston” on the Your College Profile web site.

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