While Kirby said after the meeting that the three professors had not shared their remarks with him in advance, Knowles told The Crimson after the meeting that both Summers and Kirby knew about the substance of his remarks prior to the meeting.

While Summers usually serves as chair of Faculty meetings, he took the unusual step of asking Kirby to chair today’s meeting.

“My desire is simply to listen,” Summers said.

LOOKING FORWARD

Summers’ supporters and detractors alike agreed that improvements in the way the president communicates with the Faculty will be necessary if Harvard is to continue to grow under Summers’ leadership.

Conant University Professor Stephen Owen said that much of the Faculty discontent has stemmed from the over-centralization of power in Mass. Hall.

“Perhaps such leadership may direct us more efficiently...but even so, is it worth the loss of the self-governing community whose members” feel a sense of ownership in the university, Owen asked.

Other professors echoed Owen’s comments, and Summers said he plans to respond by working to increase the Faculty’s role in governance.

“Our university cannot move forward without that [civic] engagement,” Summers said.

Other professors told Summers that he had failed to put sufficient faith in the Faculty’s decision-making ability.

“The question is not whether the president can change superficial aspects of his leadership style, but whether he can trust in the expertise of the Faculty,” Professor of Economics Caroline M. Hoxby ’88 said.

Summers said that he is willing to work to reestablish ties with the Faculty.

“I am determined to set a different tone,” Summers said. “I pledge to you that I will seek to listen more, and more carefully, and to temper my words and actions in ways that convey respect and help us work together more harmoniously.”

But Summers added that he would not be able to accede to every Faculty request.