This position paper was written to answer a series of basic questions frequently asked about attrition and retention at Empire State College (ESC), New York. The questions addressed in the report are: (1) What is the attrition rate at ESC? (2) How does ESC's attrition rate compare to other colleges? (3) Who are the leavers? (4) When does attrition occur and why does it occur? (5) What are the costs of attrition? (6) What can ESC do about attrition? The paper attempts to answer these questions by mapping out student flow from the time of initial inquiry to the student's exit from the college. Twelve recommendations are outlined that are designed to form the basis of a college-wide, center-based retention program. They include: improve faculty-student interaction, improve peer interactions, be responsive to student complaints and expressed needs, present a meaningful and accurate picture of the institution, establish an early warning system, establish a recovery program at the Center level, initiate adult services and resource supports, and improve the quality of financial aid advising. Includes 51 references. (GLR).