Most Ball State University freshmen return for a second semester, according to numbers released by the Office of Enrollment.
Out of the 3,692 freshmen from Fall 2006, 90.9 percent returned for Spring Semester, which is an increase from last year's 88.7 percent retention rate.
Kay Bales, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, said freshman retention is increasing for many reasons.
"We do know that there are major factors - the quality of their experience, the quality of certain programs that attract their attention," she said.
Bales credited cocurricular and extracurricular activities for the slight increase in retention. Housing and Residence Life and freshman programs also contribute, she said. Cluster programs have brought a new dynamic for freshmen, Bales said.
"It's a really excellent opportunity for students to connect with their peers with the residence hall staffs and with the faculty," Bales said.
Tom Taylor, vice president of enrollment, marketing and communications, said he hoped the higher retention rate indicated a high-quality freshman class.
Bales said she is pleased with the retention rate, but is still looking for ways to enhance the number.
Taylor said an ideal freshman class would average from 3,500 to 3,600 students.
One way Ball State can do this is through Foundations of Excellence, a program in which it is currently participating. The program is a guided self-study in which the university gauges the quality of nine areas of freshman life.
"I think the Foundations of Excellence project will really give us some ideas of areas where we do need to focus," Bales said. "The final report will provide us with some helpful information, and we can implement changes."
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