The perception of typical U.S. college students toward the Reagan administration's foreign policy is that it is based on the principle that Communism must be stopped at any cost. Students' beliefs are defined according to their reactions to specific U.S. foreign policy initiatives. Three areas have aroused considerable campus reaction and exemplify students' perception of this "stop Communism" approach as controlling U.S. foreign policy. The areas are: (1) nuclear arms proliferation; (2) divestiture in South Africa; and (3) U.S. support for the Contras in Nicaragua. Students believe that the eventual goal of the arms race is to achieve a balance of power aimed at stopping Communism. Students also believe that divestiture in South Africa is opposed by the Reagan administration because the government fears that divestiture may drive that nation into the Soviet camp. The students understand that the Reagan administration views the Contras as "freedom fighters" struggling for the democratic way. U.S. students would like to see a more idealistic approach in foreign policy. They see the nuclear arms race as an activity which risks planetary annihilation. They would prefer an arms limitation and a U.S. foreign policy which advocates human rights in South Africa. They would like a foreign policy which views other nations as equals instead of one that supports internal conflicts. (SM)