This article analyses aspects of the relationship among university students and their perception of racial relations in Brazil, based on data collected from a survey that resorted to quantitative and qualitative procedures. We investigated the students' outlook on differentiated treatment of Negroes and Caucasians in society in general and at the university in particular, as well as their opinion regarding the presence of only a few Negroes at the university and the measures that could be adopted to increase the presence of Negroes. During interviews with students who answered the questionnaire, we endeavored to understand the recurring aspects in their treatment of above mentioned themes. In general, this particular segment of the population was identified to tend to acknowledge the existence of discrimination in society, but not at the university. Also, only a few are in favor of specific policies leading to an increase of the negro contingent at the university. Although the sub-group in favor of measures to this effect consists of Negroes studying at private universities, the main difference in this respect refers to students at public universities vis-à-vis those at private universities.
racial disparities; racial discrimination; racism; Negroes; Brazil
