Race Survey Is Good Start

To the editors:

Congratulations to the Institute of Politics (IOP) and The Crimson for carrying out the survey on racial attitudes. There is always the risk that a single study will be treated as a basis for comprehensive conclusions or its data will be taken out of context. Nonetheless, it is difficult to resolve issues that are not honestly faced.

Students of interracial schooling have known for a long time that there are large potential benefits, but they are far from automatic. Students bring into schools and colleges the experiences of largely segregated lives and often tend to replicate those patterns inside the institutions.

Leadership from the institution, the Faculty and the students themselves is very important if the potential is to be realized. Good research is bound to show failings and disappointments, which is part of the process of figuring out what needs to be addressed. On most campuses there has been little serious community discussion of these issues for decades. The IOP and The Crimson have made an important contribution in helping to open up a discussion based on some important information about student experiences. GARY ORFIELD   Jan. 23,1998

The writer is professor of education and social policy at the Graduate School of Education.