ABOUT THIS BOOK

World renowned economist and president of Michigan State University, Walter Adams first published The Test in 1971, a year after his tenure as university president ended. Adams recounts the tumultuous nine months of his office: as the first university president to follow the legendary John Hannah, Adams inherited the unease and resentments that had been quietly swelling under seemingly calm administrative waters.
These resentments, coupled with the increased social awareness generated by sixties activism combined in an explosive protest during the fall of 1969. With gripping honesty and clarity, The Test not only chronicles the events, but offers an indictment of those institutional structures that ignored very real social concerns in favor of esoteric academic pursuits. By examining the perspectives of all the participants, Adams presents new directions for the growth and development of university communities. Both a thoughtful analysis and eyewitness account, The Test presents invaluable documentary evidence of one of the most dynamic periods in American history.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Walter Adams (1922-1998), professor of Economics, was President of Michigan State University from April 1969 to January 1970, having been chosen to be MSU's 13th president. Adams was asked to succeed President John A. Hannah, who had resigned his position as President in order to accept that as Administrator of the Agency for International Development (AID), in Washington, DC. At the outset, Adams made very clear that he did not want to be considered for the permanent presidency. Adams maintained this position despite the fact that he was very popular with the students, faculty, and the Board of Trustees. When he stepped down from the Presidency, he resumed his former position, a post he held until retiring on December 31, 1992. During his administration, the School of Osteopathic Medicine and the Center for Urban Affairs were established, and a proposal was made to establish a Center for Russian and Eastern European Studies. To commemorate Walter Adams' contributions to MSU, the green lawn/ field west of the presidential residence (Cowles House), long used as a practice area by the Marching Band, was renamed in honor of Dr. Adams. For years, Dr. Adams would join the MSU Marching Band for Saturday pre-football warm-ups, and then lead the band into Spartan Stadium.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

Foreword

Preface

1. The Stage is Set

2. The White Radicals

3. The Black Militants

4. The Moderate Majority

5. The Outside Agitators

6. The Apostles of Neutrality

7. The Guardians of Excellence

8. Holding Things Together

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