The results of a survey conducted last semester reveal that more than 70 percent of college freshmen across the nation believe African American students should receive "at least some special considerations" when applying for college.

The study, conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California at Los Angeles, marks the first time in the institute's 30-year history that students were asked about racial preferences in admissions.

Based on the responses of 240,000 students at 473 two and four-year institutions, the study revealed that what affirmative action is and what is does is often unclear.

For example, when "special considerations" were defined as affirmative action, the number of favorable responses dropped. When the freshmen were asked whether they would like to "abolish affirmative action in college admissions," 50 percent said yes.

"Affirmative action is a misunderstood policy," said Cecilia Lou, assistant dean of Asian American Studies. "We need to redefine what it means to students."

Affirmative action is defined in Arizona Board of Regents documents as a set of measures taken to ensure fair treatment and create opportunities for underrep-resented applicants.

Salomon Baldenegro, assistant dean of Chicano/Hispano Student Affairs, said people have the misconception that affirmative action allows advancement and opportunities for those who are unqualified, at the expense of those who are qualified. That is not true, he said.

"The purpose of affirmative action is to give equal chances to those who are equally qualified," Lou said.

Stuart McDaniel, political science senior, said, "Being hired based on race goes against the 1964 Civil Rights Act. I understand the need to foster some kind of equality, but at what disadvantages."

Affirmative action is necessary because is it idealistic to believe we live in a colorblind society, Balde-negro said. There are not enough people out there who will change without the authority of the court.

The affirmative action debate was fueled by the University of California school system's decision last year to eliminate affirmative action policies in admissions and hiring. This decision prompted a self-study at the University of Arizona.

Regent John Munger proposed last fall that race-based financial aid be abolished within the Arizona university system and open aid provided to all students on a need basis.

Saundra Taylor, vice president of student affairs, will coordinate the affirmative action self-study and said it will evaluate how diverse the student body and work force are, as well as how well programs oriented to ensure opportunities for minority students are working.

It will also look at whether the UA is complying with the federal government guidelines regarding affirmative action.

"The study's purpose is to try and improve the system by continuous progress," Munger said. "The ultimate goal is to eliminate the negative side effects."

"I think affirmative action is a little unfair but I can see both sides' positions," said Mindy Bourque, an undeclared freshman. "A need-based policy would be more effective."

During the 1993-1994 academic school year, $51 million of financial aid in the forms of scholarships, grants and waivers was dispersed to UA students, according to the numbers from the University of Arizona Fact Book released by the Office of Institutional Research.

Students racially classified as white or other, who made up 72.8 percent of the student population for the 1994-95 academic year, received $36 million of the $51 in financial aid money.

Minority students, who make up 20.7 percent of the student body, received $15 million in financial aid money.

"The UA is actively recruiting to bring more academically qualified students to the university," said Lori Goldman, interim director of Admissions and New Student Enrollment.

"We are trying to create a highly diverse college campus of students," she said. There are special units for recruiting all types of students.

It's important not to lose sight of the fact that all students at the UA have the same admittance standards, Baldenegro said.

Taylor said, "When the graduation percent of minorities matches the graduation percent of the majority, this would indicate that affirmative action is working on campus, which is one of the Board of Regents' long term goals."

"Affirmative action is a good program that should continue," Baldenegro said. "The program is still needed now but maybe someday it won't be."

Fifty-two percent of Asian Americans graduate within a six-year period. Hispanics have a 41 percent graduation rate, while Native Americans have a 16 percent graduation rate within the same six-year period. Whites and non-minorities have a 52 percent graduation rate and African Americans graduate at 29 percent within a six-year period.

When the UA achieves its graduation goals, there might be a need for new ideas and policies regarding affirmative action, Taylor said.