Harvard President Keeps Post

Lawrence Summers, the president of Harvard who sparked outrage by claiming men held a biological advantage over women in the sciences, has escaped an immediate threat to his leadership and promised to open a "new chapter" in his relationships with fellow academics.

A faculty meeting on Tuesday night gave a temporary reprieve to Mr Summers, sparing him the humiliation of a no-confidence vote.

Despite issuing multiple apologies, Mr Summers is not entirely clear of the controversy he provoked last month with a speech in which he said that men held a biological advantage over women in the sciences, and that sexism was no longer a major barrier to professional advancement.

The crowded faculty meeting was surrounded by protesters demanding Mr Summers's removal. While he has assembled his own support committee, he acknowledged he would have to change his management style if he was to keep his job.

"I am determined to set a different tone," Mr Summers told the meeting, which was closed to the media except for the Harvard Crimson. "I pledge to you that I will seek to listen more, and more carefully, and to temper my words and actions in ways that convey respect."

But he said he would not cede his powers as president.

"I cannot serve the university ... if in the name of comity I find myself saying yes to every request that is put to me, agreeing to every suggestion so as to avoid giving a sense of alienation," he said.