Synopsis
"First published in 1971, one year after world-renowned economist Walter Adams finished his short term as interim president of Michigan State University, The Test recounts the tumultuous nine months of Adam's time in the 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 combined with the increased social awareness generated by sixties activism to culminate in an explosive protest during the fall of 1969. With gripping honesty and clarity, Adams not only chronicled events but also offered an indictment of those institutional structures that ignored the very real social concerns in favor of esoteric academic pursuits. By examining the perspectives of all the participants, Adams presented 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.