Some speculate that since then, faculty support for ousting Summers has mellowed, and that more professors are inclined to work with him.

“I think [faculty] will be more conciliatory at this point, given the statements of President Summers and the discussion that has taken place,” said Baird Professor of Science Gary J. Feldman.

But Judith Ryan, the acting chair of the Germanic Languages and Literatures department, said the discussions that have taken place over the past month might have allowed more professors to realize that they are not alone in their discontent with Summers.

“I would say that there might be quite a bit of willingness to vote yes on one or a number of these motions, and in particular [Skocpol’s]...might garner a lot of support,” she said.

Skocpol declined to comment on what she hopes her motion will accomplish.

Skocpol’s move towards a more moderate stance represents a change in her attitude towards Summers. One of the most incendiary critics of the president at the Feb. 15 Faculty meeting, she was one of three professors who volunteered at the Feb. 22 meeting to form an administration-backed committee to mediate between Summers and the Faculty.

“I would love to hear what she’s learned that I’m not aware of,” said Matory, who added that he welcomes other motions even when they differ from his own.

Professors are split over whether next Tuesday’s votes will benefit Harvard.

Glaeser said the votes are necessary to bring closure to faculty discontent.

But Feldman said he does not believe any good will come of the votes. He said that he fears the press will misinterpret the votes as “a case of enforced political correctness.” He added that Summers has already committed himself to amending his leadership style, so a vote asking him to do so would only be redundant.

Discussion of Summers at Tuesday’s Faculty meeting will likely leave little time, if any, for the third and final docket item, a report on the progress and schedule of the Curricular Review.

—Staff writer William C. Marra can be reached at wmarra@fas.harvard.edu.