Information is presented on the use of transcripts to validate institutional mission, proposing that transcript archives can serve as grounds against which the validity of an institution's claimed mission with respect to its primary beneficiaries can be measured. This is done with a focus on the community college. The National Longitudinal Study (NLS) and its Postsecondary Transcript Sample (PETS), which is taken at age 30, are used. Topics of discussion are as follows: demographics and attendance patterns; time of attendance; the role of aspirations and plans; attendees: academic background and general ability; course-taking: the community college as provider of knowledge; the concept of principal provider; labor market outcomes: the emphases of work; and community college attendance and the bachelor's degree. It is concluded that: (1) the institution seems to function in a variety of occasional roles, serving individuals for ad hoc purposes; (2) the community college functions as an intermediary institution for individuals in transit from one status to another; and (3) the community college is a testing ground offering individuals a chance to test their tolerance for postsecondary education. Twenty nine tables are appended. Contains 23 references. (SM)