Eli President’s Silence Sparks Outcry in New Haven

Faculty members and graduate students at Yale presented Yale President Richard C. Levin with a petition and a letter, respectively, condemning him for remaining silent on the controversial remarks of Harvard’s president on women in science.

While the heads of MIT, Princeton, and Stanford have openly criticized University President Lawrence H. Summers’ comments in an open letter, Levin has made no public response to the issue.

Levin’s silence provoked more than 100 members of the Graduate Employees and Students Organization (GESO) to march on Betts House last Thursday afternoon to express their distaste for Levin’s reticence.

The GESO seized the opportunity to criticize what they say is Yale’s inequitable treatment of women and minority faculty.

The committee presented a letter which called on Levin to remove obstacles limiting the progress of women and minorities.

Professors at Yale are adding their voices to the chorus demanding action from Levin.

The Associated Press reported that over 100 female scientists at Yale signed a petition urging Levin to respond to Summers’ remarks in public, and use the event to spark implementation of policies to promote the status of women at Yale.

The petition will be presented to Levin on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.

For some Eli students, Levin’s silence is a sign of agreement with Summers.

“If he was truly opposed, he would have joined the others in their open letter against Summers,” Helen Resor ’08 said, “His lack of opinion seems like he has no opposition and maybe even agrees with the Harvard president. I feel let down.”

Moira McClosky ’07 said that she views Levin’s lack of response as a sign of weakness, rather than concurrence. “I think since the other presidents of most of the other Ivy schools have commented on [Summers’] comment, I’m disappointed ours hasn’t stated his opinion,” McClosky said. “I don’t feel particularly that his silence is an indication of agreement with [Summers], but I would respect him more if he stated his thoughts on the matter instead of remaining neutral.”

Speakers at the GESO protest pointed out that several women faculty face occupational barriers such as insufficient health care and childcare, and some female workers feel a lack of respect and job security, according to The Yale Daily News.

Jennifer Seaich, a Yale graduate student, said she believes women with families are not provided with equal access to academic occupations, and that Levin’s administration should address the issue.

—Material from the Associated Press was used in this story.