An investigation of the characteristics of the 2,969 students who attended Lakeland Community College (LCC) in Fall 1978 but did not return in Winter 1979 revealed that, compared to the average Fall 1978 student, the typical non-returning student was more likely to be a married woman in her early 30's, with little previous college experience and no definite career goals, taking part-time, evening courses in personal/employment programs. A survey, that was sent to approximately half of the non-returning students to determine their current activities, yielded a 25% response rate. Survey responses indicated that: (1) 83.4% of the non-returning students had not enrolled in another educational program after leaving LCC; (2) convenience of scheduling was a major factor in their decision not to return to LCC; (3) change to a five-week winter session was not expected to increase student retention; (4) 63.9% of the respondents rated their college experience as excellent or good; (5) 87.3% had learned of LCC's course offerings through class schedules received in the mail; and (6) instruction, scheduling, and the weather were identified as areas where improvements might affect return-enrollment rates. Survey results are presented in several tables, and a cross tabulation analysis, recommendations, and the questionnaire are included in the study report. (JP)