"When you have these extreme leftist movements like militant feminism come along and try to change basic human values," intoned radio commentator Rush Limbaugh, " ... it always comes back and catches up with them."
"Look, President Summers was genuinely surprised and troubled by the response," said Zeckhauser, an old friend who invited Summers to dinner the night he appeared before the liberal arts faculty this week. He pleaded other plans. "He was not going out of his way to ruffle feathers like some of these conservative talk show hosts. He was unaware he was perceived as brusque. It's simply his personality."
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Sunday February 27, 2005 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 48 words Type of Material: Correction
Harvard president -- An article in Saturday's Section A said Harvard's board chose Lawrence H. Summers in July 2001 as the university's 27th president since its founding in 1640. Summers was chosen in March 2001 and took office in July 2001. Also, the university was founded in 1636.
Now, after the apologies and the consciousness-raising, Summers faces a period in which he has to make accommodations with a faculty of roused critics and supporters worried about his ability to profit from his mistakes.
"He's learned about the slights people have felt over the last few years and how they've eroded the sense of community at Harvard," said Kloppenberg, the history professor.
"The concern is that he's known all this before, but he didn't care to do anything about it and wasn't willing to change. This time, he has to take real steps. If you're bold without generating support, you're flirting with failure."
