The experiences of 397 freshmen at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, were studied, along with the ways in which the university programs and services affect student commitment to the university. Based on a telephone interview, findings include the following: many freshmen had little contact with major university services designed to orient them to the regulations and expectations of the university; many students were confused about requirements and other academic concerns; registration procedures were the most common problem area for students; while freshmen were knowledgeable about a number of student services (academic support, financial aid, and registration), they were not aware of other student services; many students dropped out for reasons unrelated to their university experiences; some circumstances of dropouts were amenable to university intervention (e.g., need for financial assistance); and many dropouts were not counseled concerning their withdrawal. Differences among students who left school before the second semester and those who re-enrolled were examined. The experiences of nontraditional students (e.g., older students and minority students) and those of the more traditional freshmen were also compared. (SW)