Communism, racial equality, terrorism and the abortion debate are some of the major topics that University students say will carry over into the 1990s.

As Eastern Europe changes on an almost daily basis, most students seem interested in some aspect of the countries formerly aligned with communism.

Angela Pacini (sophomore-elementary education) said she would like to see more peace in the world and an end to communism.

"With what happened in December alone, I think that it will be possible in this decade," she said.

In late December, Romania became the fifth communist country in Eastern Europe to make sweeping government reforms.

"I'd like to see the Soviet Union become a democracy," said Randy McComb (sophomore-computer science).

Under banners of "glasnost" and "perestroika," many changes have occurred in the Soviet Union within the last decade as a result of Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev's reform policies.

And the new openness has triggered an eruption of simmering ethnic and nationality problems within the Soviet Union. Demonstrations, riots and loss of life have occurred in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Soviet Georgia and Kazakhstan.

Denise Haskins (sophomore-secondary education) said military suppression of the student revolution in China last year was the worst event of the last decade.

"But I hope communism will continue to break down," she added.

Last May, Chinese students demanded immediate changes in that country's political system with an occupation of Tiananmen Square in Beijing and numerous pro-democracy demonstrations. One month later, China's Premier Li Peng declared martial law and ordered students to clear the square. For two weeks the demonstrators resisted, only to be crushed in a massacre in which thousands died.

Global terrorism is another topic on the minds of University students as the decade of the 1990s dawns.

Karrie Kurta (freshman-elementary education) said she would like to see an end to terrorism in the 1990s.

Hijackings, bombings, and kidnappings, terrorist groups grabbed headlines the world over. The most recent bombing claimed the lives of 259 passengers and crew of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.

Racial struggles for equality also top the list of subjects students seemed concerned about.

"I think people should be more accepting of each other," said Nicole Dunn (sophomore-history). "I think people will be more aware of the world's problems in the '90s."

Sharon Wilkins (sophomore-communications) said the worst aspect of the 1980s was apartheid.

Carrie Pacini (junior-elementary education) agreed. "I'd like to see racial unity in the world this decade," she said.

The policy of apartheid in South Africa has been an institution there since 1948. Black Africans comprise 73 percent of the country's population but have virtually no political rights under the system.

Meanwhile, racial divisions in our own nation continue. Incidents such as the Aug. 28 shooting death of a black teenager in Bensonhurst, New York City, ring hard in the ears of America's black community.

The abortion battle, precipitated by last summer's U.S. Supreme Court decision, has also roared into the eye of public opinion and debate.

For Pennsylvanians, the House of Representatives passed a strict abortion control bill, taking advantage of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing more restriction.

"All these men want to make women's decisions for them," LaSalle said. "I hated how it was such a big campaign issue in the 1988 elections."