The legally-sanctioned divide between students of different races was struck down by the Supreme Court 50 years ago, but on some college campuses, the de facto form of segregation that lingered is still prevalent, a new survey finds.

A survey by the Higher Education Research Institution claims that College freshmen today are less likely to socialize with students from other races than in previous years."

The survey, An Overview of the 2004 Freshman Norms, studied the answers to questions pitched to college and high school students.

The survey found a nation-wide trend of social separatism on college campuses.

"Only 67.8 percent of freshmen nationwide claimed they frequently socialized with someone from a different racial or ethnic group during high school," the results said. "And only 63.1 percent reported a 'very good' chance of socializing with someone from another race during college."

The survey results said both of those figures have been decreasing for the past three years.

However, some doubt the accuracy of the survey as it would apply to Ole Miss.

Val Ross, coordinator for multicultural affairs, commented on the results.

"I question the validity of the survey. One must consider the source and the scope of the survey. I do not believe it to be accurate for this university," Ross said. "Here we have many programs for minority and international students that involve the entire community."

Still, the student body is divided in its opinion of the survey.

Gregory Gomez, a freshman mechanical engineering major of Hispanic descent from Carbon, Ill., said Rush is an example of segregation at Ole Miss.

"I do not believe that it is true nationally, but in the south, yes, I could see it as a problem," Gomez said. "Take Rush for instance. It is obvious that most of the people who participated in it were mostly Caucasians."

Still, many students do not believe that separatism is as great a problem as the survey insinuated.

Sunil Puthan, a freshman mechanical engineering major of Indian descent from Cleveland, disagrees with the findings.

"I do not think the survey was entirely accurate," Puthan said. "I hang out with people of many races. Contrary to the survey, I believe that the trend of separatism is decreasing, not increasing."

Anthony Yuen a Chinese-American, who is an international studies and political science major from Hattiesburg, scrutinized the credibility of the survey.

"That generalization does not take into account many factors. I am Asian American and I grew up in an environment that was predominantly white," Yuen said.

"Mississippi does not have a large Asian population. That is why I have many friends that are not Asian."

"The University is relatively diverse compared to most public institutions. Mississippi still has a long way to go, but our generation is more tolerant than previous generations."

However, Adrian Ford, an African American Chemistry major from Jackson, said opinions like Yuen's are the exception and not the rule.

"If the survey is true it is because some people stereotype people of different races," Ford said. "They assume the worst because they are fearful of what they have been taught. I also think it is a status issue. They may believe that it would lessen them to speak to different races like blacks. In general, those people usually associate with you if they have something to gain from you."

The survey also pointed out the trend of minorities congregating together, which sometimes alienates them from other groups.

"Congregation may be a problem," Gomez said.

"If you are not willing to get out and join the group then maybe you are part of the problem."

Other students share similar views.

"To a certain extent, congregation can be problem," Puthan said. "If a group seeks members, I would hope it would offer equal access for all races. Also we should get rid of any stereotypes."