In 1989, a study was conducted of the persistence and graduation rates of full-time, degree-seeking students who enrolled in the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) for the first time in fall 1981 through fall 1986. Persistence was determined by the presence of the student in the enrolled student database, regardless of whether the student continued to enroll on a full-time basis or in their original program. Graduation rates were determined by the presence of the student in the list of persons receiving an associate degree, excluding those who attained certificates or diplomas. Study findings indicated: (1) about 70% of the students persisted to the spring quarter of their first year, about 55% returned for the second year, and about 45% were still enrolled in the spring of their second year; (2) while there was no significant difference in the persistence of transfer and occupational students, occupational students were somewhat more likely to graduate than transfer degree students; (3) except for students entering the VCCS in 1982, who had higher graduation rates than other cohorts, the graduation rates of full-time students varied little from year to year; and (4) fewer than 10% of the students graduated by the end of two years; however, this figure more than doubled by the end of the fourth year. (WJT)