As University President Michael Adams faces the release of a book that harshly criticizes his tenure, the biannual forum “Open Mic With Mike” comes at an interesting time for students to question their president.

But they may not get answers to their questions.

Though students are supposed to be able to have an open, candid conversation with Adams at the forum, questions concerning “Behind the Hedges,” the book by Rich Whitt, may be off limits.

Matthew Winston, assistant to the president, said Adams probably would not answer questions about the book.

“I don’t think he’s read it,” Winston told The Red & Black in a phone interview Monday. “I think that the things that Tom Jackson has said sort of represent the administration’s view on that part of the book.”

Tom Jackson, vice president for Public Affairs, was quoted in Monday’s Athens Banner-Herald, saying that “the book retells one side of an old story that is long since resolved.”

“Open Mic with Mike” – today at 4 p.m. in room 138 of the Tate Student Center – is an open forum for students to discuss University-related issues with Adams in a question and answer format.

“[The forum] is good for [Adams], he says, to sort of hear firsthand from the everyday student about some of the issues going on across campus that he may not know about,” Winston said. “He will tell you himself that he always learns something new every time he gets a chance to do one of these.”

The forum is open to the public and the press, but only University students may pose questions.

Adams holds the forum at least once a semester to find out what’s on the minds of students and to address their questions candidly. It is also an opportunity for students to get to know the man who wields the most power at the University.

“I have been surprised at some of the questions that have come up during these sessions,” Winston said. “Some have asked about national issues or issues in the state, not necessarily related to issues in the University of Georgia.”

Winston said the turnout depends on student interest as well as the location of the forum. Sometimes the forum is held in on-campus housing, which tends to skew questions to issues involving younger students, he said.

“I would not be surprised if there were a good number of students there [this semester],” he said. “In times of tough budgets and uncertainty at the state level, it causes concern among students.”

Students who wish to ask Adams questions should arrive on time and plan to ask their questions early. In past years the forum has lasted two hours, but if there are not enough questions it could be as short as 30 minutes.

Winston said Adams will not be able to allot much more than an hour for this semester’s forum, since he has another appointment scheduled later in the day.