In defense of Summers

To the Editor:

Larry Summers was asked to speak at a private meeting off the record, to be provocative so a lively discussion could ensue, on why there are fewer women than men in science and math. He raised several issues, of which one was a possible difference between the sexes, something that has been amply substantiated in various investigations of traits and physiognomy.

If one reads his remarks, one finds a sober questioning, and he said several times that he doesn't necessarily believe any of the possibilities, but they warrant examination. The media have consistently misquoted him. The "no confidence" motion came from a member of the department that lost the poseur, Cornel West, to Princeton.

Summers had admonished him to keep in mind that his first job was to teach, not to make rap records or other dilettante pursuits. West left in a huff, and some have never forgiven Summers. Also, when a number of professors signed a "divestment from Israel" petition, Summers said that the effect, even if not intended, was anti-Semitism, which also riled some faculty members.

Harvard's various schools have always been independent, and it seems that a strong president is opposed by those who would like to keep it that way (Presidents at Harvard have little power to appoint faculty, so if there is a dearth of women, Summers can't be blamed).

That the brouhaha continues reflects more on the faculties of various schools, the frustration of some women's groups and the delight of some in the media who have never taken the trouble to learn the facts.

Yesterday's article by Mara Gordon ("Prof: Summers rules through 'intimidation'," DP, 3/16/05) gets some things right, but a lot of things wrong. Summers may well be the best President Harvard has had since Eliot at the beginning of the 20th century, or perhaps more recently, Conant.

George Ehrlich

The author is an adjunct professor of medicine at Penn

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