ABSTRACT
Clark Kerr's successors tried to guide the university through the rough years that followed his presidency. His immediate successor was Harry Wellman, a respected member of Kerr's senior management team who agreed to serve for one year until a permanent president was chosen. The position went to another member of Kerr's senior management team, his vice president for finance, Charles Johnson Hitch (1968-1975). According to Brian Pusser, the University of California started affirmative action programs at that time "with considerable prodding" from the influential African-American politician Willie Brown. In other words, David P. Gardner's fox instinct told him that this issue could affect his ability to succeed. Brown was a key political figure, and the minority caucus included some fifteen or twenty legislators. In addition, influential California politician John Vasconcellos made his views on the subject of diversity clear early on.
