He has also made a commitment to teaching undergraduate courses. Last year, he taught Freshman Seminar 47t, “Globalization: Opportunities and Challenges,” and this year Summers co-taught the core course Social Analysis 78, “Globalization and its Critics” with another academic superstar, Bass Professor of Government Michael J. Sandel. In addition, he holds office hours several times throughout the year, available by appointment to all students.

Presidents in the past have also taught undergraduate courses: Kenan Professor of Government Harvey C. Mansfield ’53 remembers former President James Conant ’13 leading undergraduate chemistry demonstrations wearing a three-piece suit and cuff links.

The Crimson reported in 1954 that Conant was the first University president in a century to teach an undergraduate course while in office, and though he was accused of being “inapproachable,” he made a greater effort than previous presidents to speak to undergraduates in formal and more relaxed settings.

Summers, apart from teaching high demand courses with popular professors, has stood out by making himself more widely available to undergraduate students. “Rudenstine would have his office hours but he didn’t make quite the same effort that Summers did to be physically present in the Houses,” LaFlamme said, referring to the study breaks Summers holds in each upperclass House every year.

And while Summers has been criticized for his interpersonal relations by the faculty, students who have attended his study breaks in the Houses say that he has made a noticeable effort to engage students in civil discourse—even when he is assailed with antagonistic questions.

Ariel S. Wolf ’05 says Summers was not flustered or dismissive when confronted with a question about the rising cost of tuition and the University’s $20 billion endowment.

“[He] crafted a very good response that was very economically sound,” Wolf says. “He took about ten full minutes to answer it and he went through two or three ways to answer to the question.”

But LaFlamme said he remembers Summers being less receptive to criticism before he came under his current string of criticism from faculty this spring.

“I asked him a question about [Reserve Officers’ Training Corps] ROTC and his softening Harvard’s stance on it and I feel like the answer I got was a characteristically dismissive and official kind of thing,” LaFlamme said, referring to a study break question and answer session in Mather House. “But the flap about his comments at the conference in January has made Summers and his emissaries more receptive to dialogue and brought more legitimate conversations then in the beginning of this administration.”

Currier House Master Joseph L. Badaracco describes Summers as “student-oriented” and says that Summers inquires at regular intervals about undergraduate concerns.

“[Summers] is direct and open, and he uses the Socratic method to make students think,” Badaracco wrote in an e-mail.

Winthrop House Master Stephen P. Rosen ’74 wrote that Summers treated students as equals and spoke frankly when he appeared at a Winthrop House study break in May. Wolf notes, however, that Summers’ forthcoming style may sometimes be mistaken for rudeness.

“When people say he’s blunt I think they mean he’s very forthcoming,” Wolf says. “In general people expect equivocations but Summers seems willing to take a stand one way or another.”

Rebecca E. Rubins ’05 agrees that Summers responses to student inquiries are sometimes perceived to be more offensive than the President intended.

“I think everyone agrees that he has an attitude and demeanor that alienates people and despite his best efforts he comes off as aloof or arrogant,” Rubins said. “But I think it’s accepted that of all of the presidents in Harvard’s history he’s made an effort to get involved with undergraduates the most.”