IN THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS, 1962-65, RIVERSIDE CITY COLLEGE HAD THREE DIFFERENT POLICIES FOR STUDENT WITHDRAWALS FROM CLASS--(1) A 6-WEEK NO-PENALTY PERIOD, WITH THE GRADE ASSIGNED FOR WITHDRAWALS AFTER THAT PERIOD TO BE DETERMINED BY THE STUDENTS' PROGRESS UP TO THE DATE OF WITHDRAWAL, (2) A 6-WEEK NO-PENALTY PERIOD, WITH GRADES OF F FOR LATER WITHDRAWALS, EXCEPT IN "EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES," AND (3) NO-PENALTY PERIOD OF THREE WEEKS IN SOME CLASSES AND EIGHT WEEKS IN OTHERS, WITH A FAILING GRADE FOR LATER WITHDRAWALS, EXCEPT "UNDER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES." A STUDY OF STARTING AND ENDING ENROLLMENTS DURING THE FALL SEMESTER OF EACH OF THE THREE YEARS INDICATES THAT RETENTION WAS BETTER UNDER THE FIRST OF THESE POLICIES. THE AUTHOR SUGGESTS THAT (1) THE PURPOSE OF THE PENALTY GRADE SYSTEM, THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF AN EARLY COMMITMENT BY THE STUDENT, WAS NOT ACHIEVED, AND (2) APPLICATION OF THE FIRST OF THESE POLICIES WOULD RESULT IN FEWER STUDENT FAILURES AND MORE FUNDS FROM STATE APPORTIONMENT. (WO)