Institutional bonding was examined at a public, urban commuter college with exceptionally high attrition and visibly low morale. Changes in bonding and attrition were measured 6 years after a 2-year effort to develop school identity and student feelings of membership. It was found that a simple index of campus morale is provided by level of student feelings of membership in the college, feelings they readily articulate. Bonding tends to occur early in college life, but the general level of bonding on a campus can change over time. School identity is important; its major elements and keys to college membership can be assessed. Further, bonding relates to, but goes beyond, satisfaction with campus social life. Bonding relates to having friends on campus, but not to the closeness of the friendships. Families influence college attendance for some, an influence continuing throughout the college career. Increased independence from family influence occurs in upperclassmen with the most definite career plans. Family encouragement and collegiate background relate to social participation and campus friendships. Recommendations were to: intensify bonding efforts, particularly with freshmen; promote school identity and campus friendship building; and build family support, including family bonding. (Author/SW)