Minorities at the University may gain another step toward more diversified enrollment if the U.S. Department of Education declares race-based scholarships legal.

Former President Bush's administration threatened to declare minority scholarships unlawful in 1990, but President Clinton's administration has made strides toward determining their legality.

The Bush administration's decision was stalled while waiting for the U.S. Congress' General Accounting Office Report to be completed. Based on a survey of 300 colleges and universities, 5 percent of scholarships and 4 percent of total scholarship dollars are based on race, according to the report.

The report concluded that minority scholarships are "an important tool for recruiting and retaining racial and ethnic minority students."

This landmark decision would eliminate all potential lawsuits regarding the illegality of race-based scholarships in the country.

At the University, which has been criticized for slow progress in minority recruitment, some students think race-based scholarships benefit the University's society.

"I don't think they are discriminatory," said Anthony Cerino (senior-architectural engineering). "There are plenty of scholarships out there and I don't feel slighted."

Bronwen Wagner, director for University scholarships and special programs, was relieved when she learned of the department's impending decision.

"It will certainly allow us to continue on with our programs of diversity enrollment," Wagner said, but added that she is unsure how much money specifically goes toward minority scholarships.

University-wide overall minority enrollment increased by 113 for the 1993-94 academic year, but total black student enrollment decreased by 71.

University scholarships are divided into separate categories --those that are based on need and those that go toward special groups such as athletes, University scholars or minorities.

It is within the second category that race-based scholarships fall, said Terrell Jones, deputy vice provost for educational equity.

That money is coming from a "separate pot," Jones said. These scholarships are different from federally funded scholarships, which are based on need alone.

Despite some support, not all students believe minority scholarships are a good thing. Heather Miller (freshman-psychology) said many of her friends have deserved scholarships but have been denied because they are white.

"There was a time when they were necessary, but now I think they're getting out of hand," Miller said, adding that she doesn't think the University should spend money on recruiting minorities.

But Jones said non-minority groups should not feel slighted. The University is only rerouting resources to meet certain needs. Although 8 percent of white students may come from low socioeconomic backgrounds, almost 50 percent of African-American and Hispanic students may be disadvantaged in that way, Jones said.

"I believe more or less that it's the University's way of making up for past error," said Charles White (senior-division of undergraduate studies). "It definitely serves its purpose."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.