A report of the Commission on University Purpose of The University of Alberta, Canada, is presented. Based on the perceptions of the various publics, the Commission sought to clarify the purposes and functions of the university. After an introductory section on the historical development of universities and The University of Alberta, changing influences on university purpose are briefly addressed. Attention is also directed to the traditional purposes of a university: service to society and the discovery, transmission, and preservation of knowledge. The following specific roles and objectives of the university are addressed: leadership, community resource, accessibility, extension role, lifelong learning, and national and international responsibilities. Appendices include the following reports: "University Purposes: Literature Review and Canadian Overview" (Joanne McNeal in collaboration with H. H. Hodysh and A. G. Konrad); and "Brief History of The University of Alberta" (Maureen Riddell). The literature review covers historical perspectives since the time of Ancient Greece and university goals for the 1980s. The overview summarizes purpose statements of Canadian universities, and provides information on study methodology and goal orientations. A bibliography concludes the report. (SW)