The Policy Center on the First Year of College was established in 1999. The policy center states its mission for “the improvement of the beginning college experience through enhanced learning, success, and retention of new students” (Policy Center, 2006). The center maintains that the first year of postsecondary learning is foundational for student success in higher education. The site offers a number of links on policy initiatives. The Foundations of Excellence project is the “signature” project of the policy center, which is a guided self-study strategy for improving and enhancing the student’s first year of study. The center features surveys and publications available online to visitors. Their site is a valuable for finding data and research in the area. Retrieved December 3, 2006, [http://www.firstyear.org/] http://www.firstyear.org/