Embattled Harvard University president Lawrence H. Summers issued a formal apology to a group of female faculty members Thursday in an attempt to limit the fallout from his controversial remarks about the ability of women to do well in the fields of math and science.

History professor Lizabeth Cohen told the New York Times, 'He regrets what he said, and I hope that he will prove that by taking constructive steps. We're going to be in intense discussions with him over the next week.'

Summers had received an angry letter signed by approximately 120 of the 600 professors in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences protesting his remarks. Professor Howard Georgi had collected names via a mass e-mail to faculty members.

'In two days, at a time when faculty are busy finishing exams and dispersing for intercession, the response was rather remarkable,' Dr. Georgi said in the letter. 'I believe that this outpouring of support is important. It is my hope that it will be useful as part of the foundation for a broad-based effort to eliminate hidden discrimination in all its forms.'

Both Summers and the faculty admit that what's important is what follows next. Summers's spokeswoman, Lucie McNeil indicated that 'Larry said it was a good meeting. He apologized, and then they moved on to a discussion of a variety of steps the university can take to address diversity issues in the coming days.'

Among the issues discussed were ways to increase the number of female faculty at Harvard. No final decision has been made as to what actions the University will take.