As more government agencies request information and records from colleges and universities, it is important that all institutions establish standard procedures for handling such requests. Administrators should: learn the personality of the particular agency or office making the request; establish a professional, cooperative, non-adversarial relationship; and disagree only when necessary. Requesters and types of questions may include: (1) police/Federal Bureau of Investigation checks; (which tend to be general fishing expeditions): (2) subpoenas and discovery devices (which should be forwarded to the General Counsel's office); (3) student records (for which access is governed by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act); (4) Immigration and Naturalization Service, United States Information Agency, and Department of Labor (these agencies usually seek data on foreign nationals studying or working at a particular institution); (5) Office of Federal Contract Compliance (which examines a school's equal opportunity compliance); and (6) Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Education (which investigates individual complaints and reviews compliance). The National Collegiate Athletic Organization, a private organization, may also request information from member institutions. (Contains references with sources of further information.) (MAH)