In response to declines in enrollment and average daily attendance since 1975, Ohlone College conducted a study of student attrition which involved: (1) a telephone survey of the 2,593 students who enrolled in Fall 1979 and dropped out or withdrew from classes before the end of the quarter; (2) a mailed survey of the 15 members of the California Community and Junior College Research and Development Commission soliciting suggestions for lowering student attrition; and (3) a follow-up survey of 50 students who had participated in the initial survey asking them to evaluate the interview process. Specifically, the study sought to assess the demographic make-up of the students who withdrew, to determine their reasons for leaving, and to identify possible ways of increasing retention. Major findings of the telephone survey, based on a 46% response rate, reveal that most dropouts were white, female, high school graduates attending selected courses in the evening on a part-time basis. Conflict between work and study was the most common reason for leaving, however, 20% of the respondents indicated that they had achieved their educational goals. The study report presents a review of the literature on student attrition, summarizes the responses from each of the three participant groups, and presents recommendations for addressing the attrition problem. (JP)