A dean resigns and a search committee for his replacement is selected and begins its job. This simple act occurs regularly on campuses throughout the nation. Periodically, though, things happen that disturb the business-as-usual cycle of such searches and provide a glimpse into problems that fester below the surface. In this article, Terry Jones describes a dean search at the California State University Hayward (now California State University East Bay) and how a seemingly innocuous suggestion results in considerable faculty turmoil. Jones' intent is to provide a picture of racial dynamics that operate to maintain white privilege in the California state university system and on campuses throughout the nation. He asserts that until the nation can come to grips with the issues raised here, it will be unable to achieve the cultural, racial, and intellectual variety higher education needs in an increasingly diverse America.