Attrition and completion was studied at an open university, the Athabasca University in Canada. The multiple-choice and open-ended questionnaire asked students to indicate why they withdrew or completed the course and to specify the conditions under which they could pursue their studies. Of the 58 questionnaires mailed, 55 percent of the withdrawal questionnaires and 86 percent of the completion questionnaires were returned. Six areas that may have policy implications are: pacing/timeline restrictions on student progress, range of advanced course offerings, credit-noncredit options, course improvements, stop-out students, and open admissions. A literature review on variables related to attrition or completion and on attrition or completion variables in distance education is provided. The following terms are defined and discussed: nonstart, persister, suspension, extension, completion, transfer, graduation, withdrawal, attrition, dropout, and attrition rate. (SW)