The effect of female student participation in the Society of Women Engineers on retention-a study at Baylor University

In September of 1999, female students in the School of Engineering & Computer Science at Baylor University decided to start a student section of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). Their main purpose in doing this was to foster a sense of community among female students in the School, especially in disciplines where the ratio of female to male students is very low. Over the past two and a half years, the Baylor student section of SWE has thrived. They have been recognized not only in the region, but are currently the "Best New Student Section" in the nation (SWE National Conference, Denver, Colorado, June 2001). A major benefit of this participation has been an apparent increase in the retention of female engineering and computer science students in the school. This paper documents the approach of the SWE officers to the growth and development of the student section, and includes data on the effects of the student chapter of SWE on retention of female students in the School of Engineering & Computer Science at Baylor University.