As he assumes the role of Dean of a large college at State University, Jason Spradlin is confronted by a rebellious department and a faculty member apparently intent on recruiting young people into terrorist activities. When the dissident refuses to meet with the female Assistant Dean, Jason challenges him. This leads to a series of thwarted episodes focused on harming the Assistant, including Jason's preventing by physical force a young man from exploding a bomb in the administrative offices. The faculty joins local thugs with the common goal of damaging federal facilities and fostering unease in the citizens. The head of the rebelling department retires and a new leader is brought in. On the flip side of Jason's life, he and colleagues are recognized for their previous research on a genetic defect plaguing young children and his wife, Kathryn, continues to gain national statues as a prominent researcher.