Freshman retention up at CMU, more first-year students from 2009 become sophomores

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More freshmen returned to Central Michigan University as sophomores this year than in fall 2009.

The student retention rate this fall  is 79.6 percent – a 3.5 percent increase from last year. Students stay or leave the institution for a multitude of reasons, said Director of Retention Shawn Wilson.

“I attribute the increase to the quality, service-oriented culture that exists here at CMU,” he said.

The top two reasons students leave are financial aid, in terms of their ability to pay for school, and lack of academic or social connection, Wilson said.

“I think people leave because of lack of involvement, mostly them being afraid to jump in,” said Roscommon freshman Will Fronczak. “Between Paintball Club and group projects in class, I’ve had chances to meet many new people. Those things have helped and I’ll be staying at CMU for sure.”

Why some leave

There are a number of students who choose to leave CMU after their first year.

For Onalee Cohoon, now a sophomore at University of Michigan-Flint, CMU didn’t offer a major in the field she decided to study. Now studying Radiation Therapy, she said chose CMU for its campus and atmosphere more than education.

Cohoon said she never received a phone call enticing her to come back and, at most, received a couple e-mails. It was a similar case for former CMU student Claire Massman, who is now a sophomore at Grand Valley State University.

“When I took myself out of the dorms, I got an e-mail saying they were sorry I wasn’t coming back,” Massman said. “I never got any e-mails or mail about registering for classes.”

Cohoon and Massman agree finances and confusion about goals played a role in the decision not to return to the same university.

“Some people come to CMU and decide it’s too expensive and it will be better to transfer to a community college for a year or two to save money,” Cohoon said.

Some students don’t come back because they are unsure what they want to do with their lives.

And despite the lack of certain majors at CMU, Cohoon said future additions on campus may improve future retention.

Another aspect that may help to improve retention is going to see an academic adviser during a student’s freshman year, said Lynne L’Hommedieu, an academic adviser at the Towers Success Center.

“A lot of students get to CMU and don’t realize why they’re here,” L’Hommedieu said. “Unfortunately we are unable to predict exactly what students this transition will be difficult for, but if they come in and see us, we can kick-start their thinking and hopefully help.”