A reporting and study format for the investigation of university student retention is presented. Student progression and loss is shown graphically and in tabular form to enable ready comprehension and encourage data exploration. Data obtained at Virginia Commonwealth University for 1977-80 are used as illustration. Two ways of viewing student progression are used: the entire group of students of interest each year or semester (snapshot); and particular individuals of interest (cohort). Charts provide information on (1) student flow by headcount and percentage at the university level, class level, and other student classification; and (2) 12 categories of information about student progression. This method shows dynamics (i.e., gain, loss, graduates, and movement between the classifications) as well as overall trends over the study period. Two charts show simp1ified shapshots for the four undergraduate classes. These charts can bring immediate attention to important issues in areas such as enrollment projections, showing the number of students who leave and enter at the various class levels. The data can also be presented for various subsets of students, including those enrolled in particular schools, and the race and sex groups of interest. A cohort flow for freshmen who applied for admission in 1977 is also included along with a progression matrix allowing simple quantitative comparisons. Basic data elements necessary for such studies, the data analysis methods, and sample forms are included. (SW)