University President Lawrence H. Summers met with Fletcher University Professor Cornel R. West ’74 yesterday in an efforts to mend a rift that threatened to send the prominent member of the Afro-American Studies department packing for Princeton.

“They had a good meeting, they cleared the air, they left with a feeling of mutual respect,” a University spokesperson said.

West was upbeat after the meeting but declined to comment about its content.

“The important thing is that the precious Harvard tradition is bigger than Summers, myself or any of us,” was all West would say.

Summers also met with DuBois Professor of the Humanities Henry Louis “Skip” Gates Jr.—chair of the department—Wednesday evening, leaving Gates “hopeful that [West and Summers] will resolve their differences very soon.”

“I have talked to Larry Summers several times, and I am confident...that he and Professor West will be able to engage in civil dialogue.”

Summers enraged members of the Afro-American Studies department by meeting with West and reportedly criticizing the professor for his outside activities, including working with the Rev. Al Sharpton’s presidential campaign and recording a rap album during a medical leave of absence.

Summers denied chastising West for the use of his time away from Harvard.

“I would never criticize someone for taking a medical leave nor have I criticized any faculty members concerning extracurriculars,” he said in an interview with The Crimson yesterday.

A source close to the parties involved called Summers’ behavior during the meeting “abrasive.”

Following the meeting, the Boston Globe and the New York Times reported that West and Professor of Afro-American Studies and Philosophy K. Anthony Appiah were considering leaving Harvard for Princeton. West confirmed that he will be taking a leave of absence next semester, and a spokesperson said the leave was not strictly for medical reasons, although West is scheduled for prostate cancer surgery at the end of this month.

Prominent black leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson flew to Harvard to hold a press conference on New Year’s Day and the Rev. Al Sharpton threatened suit against Summers for trying to prevent West from working on his campaign.

Now, Summers seems to be on track for smoothing tensions, and some members of the Afro-American Studies department are downplaying the seriousness of the conflict.

In an interview with The Crimson Wednesday, Appiah said he had not considered leaving Harvard and denied that he had an offer from Princeton.

“I have had...very good conversations with him,” Appiah said. “In one conversation, he made it plain that he was very much hoping that I wouldn’t go. He hasn’t done anything to push me out—if that’s what you’ve heard, it’s not true.”