A model for the identification and analysis of student attrition within the North Carolina community college system was tested in 1980-1981.The three institutions selected to conduct the study--Beaufort County Community College, Edgecombe Technical College, and Nash Technical Institute (BEN)--named the project the BEN Student Retention Research Project and began work in April 1980. Objectives included the following: to define the concept of attrition and distinguish students labeled as dropout from other nonreturning students; to develop and validate instruments to collect data on student attrition and survey college applicants and currently enrolled students regarding factors related to attrition; to assess the causes of attrition; and to develop a model for the study of attrition that could be implemented by each institution within the community college system. The following areas were considered regarding the community college nonpersister: demographic characteristics, academic factors, and nonintellective factors (e.g., motivation, personality variables, and financial needs). A review of the attrition literature is presented, and attention is directed to institutional climate and services and student-reported reasons for withdrawal. The research design for the North Carolina system includes a static-group comparison to assess a relatively large population at one point in time and to discover comparative incidence, distribution, and interrelations of variables. The study population consists of students in 7 of the 58 institutions of the community college system. The final model is to be used on the institutional level. Appended materials include: research questions, the Applicant Survey Questionnaire, the Currently Enrolled Student Survey, the Survey of Noncontinuing Students, and a bibliography. (SW)