BOSTON, Massachusetts - The beleaguered president of Harvard University, Lawrence Summers, looked increasingly vulnerable Wednesday after fellow academics passed a motion of no-confidence in his leadership.
Summers has been under fire since January for suggesting that "innate" gender differences may explain why women have fewer leadership roles in elite math and science than men.
His remarks triggered an outcry from students and faculty at the famed university and calls for Summers, who has publicly apologised on at least four occasions, to step down.
The latest challenge came on Tuesday, when the Faculty of Arts and Sciences voted in favour of a resolution expressing a lack of confidence in Summers` leadership.
The motion was passed by 218 votes in favour and 185 against.
The result, while damaging, was largely symbolic as only the university`s governing body, the Harvard Corporation, has the power to dismiss the president.
After the vote, the corporation issued a statement of support for Summers and his "ongoing efforts to listen thoughtfully to the range of views being expressed by members of the university`s faculties."
Summers, 50, also responded, saying he was committed to restoring a "sense of trust" within the university.
"I have done my best these last two months to hear all that has been said, to think hard, to learn, and to adjust," he said. "I will continue to do that."
Summers, who has led the school since July 2001, has insisted that the remarks that triggered the current crisis had never been intended as "a signal of discouragement" to women.
03/16/2005 16:13 GMT