Summers Strikes Back
Here is his response to the letter of protest from 24 faculty members over his alleged plans to fire FAS dean Bill Kirby:
"Dear Colleagues: I write to share with you the text of a message I sent Tuesday in response to a statement reported in that day's Crimson from a group of current and former department chairs: 'I share your dismay at the irresponsible and misguided speculation reported in last Thursday's Crimson regarding my relationship with Dean Kirby, and I agree that these kinds of rumors are unhelpful and counterproductive as we work to achieve our common goals. Dean Kirby has my confidence and support as he leads the Faculty of Arts and Sciences in a series of critically important activities designed to advance the Faculty's academic priorities. I have been very much encouraged by the progress he and the faculty as a whole have made recently in curricular reform and other matters, and I look forward to our continued work together.' I very much appreciate your ongoing commitment to our common goals. Sincerely, Larry Summers
Huh.
Couple of things. First, why exactly was the Crimson story "irresponsible" and "misguided"? (Note that Summers does not describe it as "wrong.") Seems to me that the paper was merely doing its job...and I haven't seen anyone question the accuracy of the story. And you'd better believe that, if they could, they would.
Dean Kirby has my confidence and support....
Yes, fine. But does he also plan to step down from his position at the end of the year, and has he negotiated this option with President Summers?
Or does he now find himself in a position of unanticipated strength?
