When the results of the vote of lack of confidence were announced, the room erupted into a buzz of private conversation.

“Honestly, I did not think that the resolution would achieve more than one-third of the votes,” Matory said.

Sociology Department Chair Mary C. Waters, who has been a vocal critic of Summers in recent months, also expressed surprise at yesterday’s result.

“I don’t think any of us expected this to pass. I had no idea that so many faculty support it,” Waters said.

At the end of the meeting, which extended a half-hour beyond the allotted time, Summers made another plea for reconciliation.

“I have done my best these last two months to hear what has been said, to think hard about what has been said, and to make the appropriate adjustments, to learn from what has been said and what’s been done. And I will continue to do that,” Summers said. “My hope would be that this Faculty will now be in a position to move on to address the vital issues that it faces.”

It is still unclear what the future holds for Summers, but immediately after the meeting, many professors said they do not think the president will resign as a result of the votes.

“My guess is that President Summers will not resign,” Mendelsohn said after the meeting.

But even if his job is secure, yesterday’s motions have strong, long-lasting implications for how much power Summers will have in areas of FAS governance.

Professor of Economics Edward L. Glaeser said that Summers is prepared to change his leadership style to accommodate the Faculty. “I have every confidence that the president has heard the Faculty and that he takes this very seriously,” he said.

And Weary Professor of German and Comparative Literature Judith L. Ryan said after the meeting that she thinks the votes will allow the Faculty to flex its muscles more in FAS affairs.

“I think this also gives us a mandate to do more,” said Ryan, noting in particular that the Faculty Council—the 18-member governing board of the FAS, of which she is a member—will now be able to wield greater power.

While some professors talked of amending the relationship between Summers and the Faculty, Matory took a different tack and said after the meeting that Summers should step down as president.

“There is no noble alternative for him but resignation,” Matory said.

Shortly after the meeting began at 4 p.m., Matory introduced his motion to a completely silent audience.