Shortsighted professors imperil Harvard’s future
Re “Students Hail Harvard President,” Feb. 24
How could Larry Summers not step on many toes when, as president of Harvard University, he strove to shake up a professoriate comfortably cocooned in its past laurels? Stagnation was beginning to set in.
In his five years as president, he greatly increased the undergraduate faculty experience as well as student activities and social facilities. He insisted on higher standards for appointees selected by the faculties, pressing forward with plans to greatly expand the university. Only a vocal and strident portion of the arts and sciences faculty pressed for a no-confidence vote in the face of total support by the Harvard Corp., the deans of several faculties and 57% of the undergraduates.
Beware, Harvard -- in cutting off your nose to spite your face, you are threatening your future.
MARTIN KANTER
Brentwood
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