Universities Weblog

Larry Summers, president of Harvard, issued a statement to clarify his incendiary remarks on women in math and science.

First, the denial:

Despite reports to the contrary, I did not say, and I do not believe, that girls are intellectually less able than boys, or that women lack the ability to succeed at the highest levels of science.Then, the repentance:

I was wrong to have spoken in a way that has resulted in an unintended signal of discouragement to talented girls and women. As a university president, I consider nothing more important than helping to create an environment, at Harvard and beyond, in which every one of us can pursue our intellectual passions and realize our aspirations to the fullest possible extent.Finally, the promise:

As members of a university, we should do all we can to recognize and reduce barriers to the advancement of women in science.How many ways can we say "blown out of proportion"? The media don't want to let this one go, and some women's groups have pounced unmercifully. Good thing he didn't talk about race.

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