The "Progress Reports" program, which is designed to improve freshmen retention rates at the University of Lowell, is discussed. Attention is directed to program objectives, rating system, program evaluation, student and faculty attitudes about the program, and student grades and retention rates. The program is designed to: (1) encourage faculty to identify freshmen who are performing poorly in their courses of study by the fifth week of classes; (2) notify these students that in the opinion of their instructor they are not doing satisfactory work and may fail the course; and (3) advise the student to confer with the instructor and, if necessary, with other appropriate university support personnel. If the student decides improving performance is not possible, he or she has the option of withdrawing from the course early enough so that no negative consequences result, and the reduced course load may help the student perform well in other courses. The program was evaluated from the perspectives of student and faculty and based on freshmen grades and retention rates. Evaluation results are reported, and student and faculty evaluation forms are provided. (SW)