This report is intended to serve as a resource document providing background and perspectives for a discussion of the roles and missions of the community college system of the state of Washington. The objective is to help the community college system incorporate their planning and goals into the larger perspective of the state's total postsecondary educational effort. Introductory material describes the statements of missions and goals which evolved out of the State Board for Community College Education's 1971 report "Design for Excellence" and Phase I of the Board's subsequent Six-Year Plan adopted in 1973. Characteristics of the community college student are provided through statistical data detailing age distribution, ethnic composition, sex ratios, enrollments and access to education. The academic transfer program, general studies program, adult basic education, community services, and counseling and guidance services are all reviewed with respect to the degree of success these programs have had in meeting the recommendations set forth in the Six-Year Plan. Descriptions of individual community colleges comprise a large portion of the report. Various conclusions and recommendations for roles and missions that are stated throughout the document are accumulated and summarized in the final section. A roster of the advisory committee is appended. (AH)