Harvard President Resigns
Posted on April 1st, 2005
Facing mounting criticism and a vote of no confidence from his own faculty, Harvard president Larry Summers announced his resignation today before a stunned crowd in Massachusetts Hall.
"I believe it's time for me to pursue new challenges and to let Harvard seek new leadership," said Summers, who will remain as president through June. "It has become increasingly clear to me that I no longer enjoy the faith and trust of the many constituencies the university serves."
Summers' tenure at Harvard has been fraught with controversy from the start. With his abrasive and combative demeanor, he's managed to offend nearly everyone. His famous battles with Cornel West, the professor of African-American studies who left in protest for Princeton, made headlines and exposed Summers as a diplomatic train wreck. More recently, Summers came under fire for suggesting that women lack sufficient mental prowess to lead successful careers in science and engineering. Not surprisingly, women's groups around the world excoriated Summers for his unsubstantiated remarks.
"I Apologize to the many groups and individuals I may have offended," Summers said. "I certainly meant no harm or disrespect. And I appreciate those supporters who have defended me over the years and especially during these past few difficult months."
Summers declined to speculate about his future, but hinted at a return to government. Before coming to Harvard, Summers served as Secretary of the Treasury under President Clinton.
"I seem to fit in better in that milieu," Summers said with a tinge of bitterness. "Skins tend to be a bit thicker."
Harvard's plans to move some of its academic programs and facilities to Allston may be put on hold while the university searches for new leadership. And its purported $3-4 billion capital campaign will no doubt be held in abeyance until a successor has come aboard.
In the meantime, Harvard will need to repair its public image, which has taken a flogging thanks to Summers' social gaffes. Let's hope the next leader of the World's Greatest University will tread more lightly.
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