A forthcoming study by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities is described that will examine the costs of implementing federal regulations, including academic and overall costs. Their current and potential impact on American higher education will be addressed. The study will be comprised of three phases: (1) a compilation and analysis of the kinds of existing regulations; (2) a study of changes and costs at representative institutions in administrative structure, curriculum, innovation, budgeting, affirmative action, construction, legal work and reporting tasks; and (3) an opinion paper suggesting changes in regulatory processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Appendices include an illustrative list of regulatory and reporting costs and an occasional paper by Virginia Fadil and Parker Covington on implementing federally mandated programs. (MSE)