The Globe's Verdict The Globe's Marcella Bomardieri weighs in with her take on the $50 million; she's slightly more positive than the Times. On the one hand, she writes, "it hasn't exactly convinced Summers' critics that he's a new man." On the other hand, "some female Harvard scientists are more optimistic than they've been in a while."

Bombardieri is a fine reporter, but this is a silly conclusion. Of course they're more optimistic. After a national controversy, the president of Harvard finds himself compelled to address a problem—partly of his own making—and throw money at it. He's going to have to hire more women and pay them better, and he has virtually no leverage in resisting the demands of female faculty members.

So whether or not Summers has changed, he's got to take steps to improve the lot of women at Harvard because he can't afford another media controversy and faculty rebellion.

What really matters is this: What happens in a year, when the spotlight is off? And what will be the next shoe to drop at Harvard?  ¶ 10:15 PM