<center>R.I. Independent Higher Education Association<br> changes its name to Association of<br> Independent Colleges and Universities of R.I.</center>

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Independent Higher Education Association (RIIHEA), the membership association comprising Rhode Island’s eight independent colleges and universities, has announced that effective July 1, 2008, the organization’s new name will be “Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Rhode Island (AICU Rhode Island).”

The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Rhode Island (AICU Rhode Island) – founded in 1979 as the Rhode Island Independent Higher Education Association (RIIHEA) – serves as the collective and unified voice of its member institutions: Brown University, Bryant University, Johnson and Wales University, New England Institute of Technology, Providence College, Rhode Island School of Design, Roger Williams University, and Salve Regina University.

“It is our belief that this name change will clarify the Association’s identity and purpose by eliminating identity confusion created by like-named entities” said AICU Rhode Island President Daniel P. Egan.
“This will enable us to more effectively pursue our mission in representing our member institutions and to communicate their collective contributions and impact.”