By Kimberly Manahan (Staff Writer)

There was an 8 percent increase in freshman retention between last year and this year, said Dr. William Johnston, president of the college.

In September 2008, 46 percent of freshmen returned to Wesley. This year, 57 percent returned.

“The resources are readily available and the staff is more than willing to work with students,” senior Ivana Lebron said.

Faculty and Student Life created a new class last fall to encourage freshman retention.

“Wesley Connection” was made for freshmen who have not declared majors, said Patricia Dwyer, vice president of academic affairs.

“The faculty created the HU199 course for undeclared students,” said dean of students, Mary Alice Ozechoski. “This course is one credit and helps students unsure of a major learn about majors at Wesley and meet faculty within programs.”

Of the students who took HU199 in spring 2009, 84 percent of them returned this fall.

“They had the benefit of a faculty member really helping them identify majors and campus resources,” Ozechoski said.

Other areas of the college have made efforts to increase retention, including Student Life and Academic Affairs.

“If a student doesn’t feel connected in the first couple of weeks, they make the decision to stay or go,” Dwyer said.

More organizations and activities also have been added around campus and are still being added.

“We have heard that there is more to do and that more students are staying on the weekends,” Ozechoski said.

She said that there has been a jump in overall enrollment in student clubs and organizations and attendance at events.

Some students feel that others leave because it is not what they expected or there is not enough to do.

“Having more things to do is a way I think people will stay at Wesley,” sophomore Darren Johnson said.

Money and disliking the school are also play roles, Johnson said.

Some may want a bigger school, or their major isn’t what they wanted, Dwyer said. They may also have financial difficulties.

Samantha Simpson, a former Wesley student, transferred because the major she was interested in is not offered.

“Drama and music are my passions,” Simpson said. “I couldn’t major in what I wanted to.”

Simpson will be starting at Washington College in Chestertown, Md., in January.