Bard College Faculty Push for Leadership Transition Amid Epstein Scandal
Faculty members at Bard College have formally called upon the institution's board of trustees to craft a detailed plan for a "transition in leadership" concerning President Leon Botstein. This move comes in the wake of disturbing revelations about Botstein's association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, though the faculty have deliberately refrained from explicitly demanding his resignation.
Independent Review Initiated by Board of Trustees
The board of trustees announced on February 19 that it has engaged the prestigious external law firm WilmerHale to conduct a comprehensive independent review. This investigation will scrutinise all communications between Epstein and Botstein, who has remarkably served as the college's president for half a century. The faculty, who had remained silent until now, are responding to details unearthed in the latest batch of emails and communications released by the Department of Justice. These documents confirmed that Botstein visited Epstein's private island in 2012.
Faculty Deliberations and Moral Stance
According to sources close to the matter, faculty members engaged in intense discussions over a two-week period, debating various responses to the controversy. Some advocated for Botstein's immediate resignation, arguing that the known facts about his relationship with Epstein were sufficiently damning to be considered disqualifying. However, the collective statement that emerged, endorsed by faculty across multiple academic divisions and approved by the faculty senate, adopted a more measured approach.
The statement articulates a profound sense of outrage and horror at the contents of the Epstein files, extending deepest support to the victims exploited by Epstein and his associates. It emphasises that the revelations about President Botstein's connections raise serious questions impacting both the college as a whole and Botstein personally. The faculty have expressed strong support for the board's decision to commission an independent review, which will also examine Bard's policies on donor vetting, fundraising, codes of conduct, and conflicts of interest.
Botstein's Defence and Alleged Retirement Plans
President Botstein has previously defended his interactions with Epstein, stating that he first made contact in 2011—years after Epstein's criminal convictions were public knowledge—following an unsolicited $75,000 donation to Bard High School Early College. Botstein asserted that he pursued the relationship solely in his capacity as the college's chief fundraiser. In communications to the campus community, he has clarified that Epstein was "not my friend." Regarding the 2012 island visit, Botstein claimed he was unwell and isolated during a dinner, attending only for a fundraiser with billionaire investor Leon Black.
The faculty statement references "Botstein's proposal" for a leadership transition plan, alluding to comments he allegedly made in a February meeting with faculty leadership and program chairs. In this meeting, Botstein reportedly suggested the possibility of his retirement in the near future, interpreted by attendees as potentially within the calendar year or within two to three years. A source involved, speaking anonymously due to fears of retaliation, confirmed this interpretation.
Commitment to Institutional Integrity and Future Steps
The faculty statement underscores a commitment to open inquiry, institutional self-examination, and meaningful change. It insists that the faculty must play an integral role in determining the next steps following the investigation, with the ultimate goal of securing a strong and ethical future for Bard College. The board of trustees, in a statement to the media, confirmed that the law firm is diligently reviewing all comments and communications, aiming to complete the process as swiftly as thoroughness allows and to share the results promptly.
