Larry Summers is not fit to continue serving as a professor at Harvard. Summers’ emails with Jeffrey Epstein show a lack of moral judgment and a complacency about sexual abuse that merits his dismissal. His ongoing association with a convicted sex offender, who served time in prison for sex trafficking of minors, i.e., a pedophile, has brought disgrace upon himself and Harvard.
Character matters. It matters more than academic merit, power posts, and financial connections. Faculty have a special responsibility to conduct themselves above reproach. They mold not just young minds, but young consciences and self consciences. Larry Summers is no longer able to set a proper example for students and colleagues. Notwithstanding his formidable intellectual accomplishments, long service to the nation, and contributions to Harvard, he’s become a symbol of chauvinism and misogyny.
I say this with deep regret. Larry was an early co-author and, for many years, a close friend. He was the smartest guy in the room. But his ego always trumped his IQ. It’s now done so in the worst possible way. Harvard needs to say goodbye.
No. Perhaps you Larry Kotlicoff have lost track of moral judgement. You recognize Summers great contributions, but judge him based on one perceived fault. You judge based on Victimology, making victimization the only factor used to judge Summer’s worth. By implication, Summers must go to make Harvard a safe space for brittle occupants. Virtue signal all you want; history will mock you not Summers.
If there is one rule that should be inviolate for teachers, including university professors, it is this: Do. Not. Hit. On. Students. It doesn't matter how old they are, whether they are graduate students or undergraduate students, whether they seem willing, or even if they seem to want to initiate something. Do. Not. Hit. On. Students.