In 1976 El Centro College tightened its attendance policies--the bases for dropping students for excessive absences. Though operated under a common administrative system, each program, division, or individual instructor set up whatever policy seemed most appropriate. A faculty questionnaire examined the newly developed attendance policies and a follow-up one year later analyzed developments and effectiveness. A wide variety of policies was discovered: a student could be dropped after a range of 2-20 hours of absence; some instructors differentiated between "excused" and "unexcused" absences; some penalized students for cumulative tardies. Of faculty members responding, 83.7% used an attendance policy in common with their division or program; 38.2% enforced it "rigidly," and 55.9%"moderately"; 87.3% rated the policies as good. Over 90% of current policies had been in effect for two or more years. Non-attending students were dropped at a relatively stable rate of 15-20% per semester, with an apparent reduction trend in absences and drops as students recognized and adapted to the system. Student attendance was found to correlate with educational achievement and commitment. Highest absence and drop rates were in developmental courses and required general courses. Lowest rates were in sophomore and elective/career courses. Surveys are appended. (Author/MB)