Harvard University students are reacting after former U.S. Treasury Secretary and current Harvard professor Larry Summers says he'll step back from public commitments after the release of emails showing he maintained a friendly relationship with Jeffrey Epstein long after the financier pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl.

Summers provided a statement saying he's deeply ashamed of his actions, recognizes the pain they've caused and takes full responsibility for his misguided decision to continue communicating with Epstein.

Summers says he'll keep teaching.

Summers served as treasury secretary from 1999 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton.

He was Harvard’s president for five years from 2001 to 2006.