The Student Support Services Program, in the student affairs division, has been a counseling and tutorial program at Chicago State University since 1978. The program's goal is to increase the retention and graduation rates of the university's students. The program's focus is to monitor extensively each participant's first year at the university with academic and counseling intervention, and to monitor and provide support services through each student's academic career. The academic and counseling interventions include: instruction in writing, mathematics, and study skills; personal counseling; academic advising; tutoring; exposure to cultural and educational activities; career awareness activities; and activities designed to increase enrollment in graduate and professional school programs. The program has consistently contributed to increasing retention and graduation rates of the university's students. (Author/MSE)