This history and examination of the responsibilities of the California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) begins by stating the original purposes of the Commission to coordinate and plan educational offerings in California beyond the high school level. The paper then examines the growth of the need for coordination of the segments of higher education, as reflected in state educational legislation since 1899 and in the political factors leading to the creation of the Commission in 1974. It goes on to describe the Commission's composition and to outline the functions the CPEC carries out: (1) acting as a clearinghouse for information on postsecondary education, (2) coordinating institutional and system-wide long-range planning, (3) overseeing institutional and program evaluation, and (4) advising the legislature and governor on matters concerning the acquisition or construction of new institutions or branches and on the merits of funding requests. The report then examines the Commission's limited enforcement power which, as a concession to institutional autonomy, confines the Commission to a largely advisory and informational role. The potential for greater authority is then examined in light of the growing state role in community college finance. A bibliography is provided. (JP)