National statistics on student protests downplay unrest

April 7, 1966

National statistics on student protests downplay unrest

Interpreting the results of a nation-wide study with data from 850 deans, Richard E. Peterson of the Educational Testing Service cast doubt on the prevalence of unrest among college students. Although civil rights ranked first in reasons for organized college protest, with 38% of institutions reporting protests, only about 6% of the students at any given college or university participated. Vietnam protests came in third (21% of institutions, less than 5% of students participating), after food protests (25% of institutions, about 7% of students participating).

Pollster Denies Widespread Unrest

[Last updated on October 12, 2018]