Leon Botstein Retires as Bard College President After 50 Years

Leon Botstein announced his retirement from the presidency of Bard College on Friday, concluding a 50-year tenure marked by recent scrutiny over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The 79-year-old Botstein will retire at the end of June, as detailed in a lengthy letter he wrote to the campus community.

He stated in the letter that he waited to announce his retirement until the WilmerHale review was complete, describing the decision as prudent and in the best interest of Bard.

An independent review of Botstein's relationship with Epstein, conducted by the law firm WilmerHale and published on Thursday, found that Botstein did not do anything illegal. However, the review determined that Botstein made decisions in the course of that relationship that reflect on his leadership of Bard.

It also stated that Botstein minimized and was not fully accurate in describing his relationship with Epstein in public statements and statements to the Bard community.

Bard College, a small liberal arts college in New York, issued a statement on the retirement announcement, praising Botstein as a transformative leader who shaped the institution over five decades. The college's trustees enlisted WilmerHale to conduct the independent review of communications between Epstein and Botstein, which was commissioned earlier this year.

Botstein was not accused of involvement in Epstein's exploitation and abuse of girls and women.

U.S. Justice Department this year showed that Botstein and Epstein met on multiple occasions, with Epstein sometimes arriving at Bard College by helicopter. Botstein asked Epstein to be a guest at the 2013 Bard College graduation ceremonies and suggested meeting for an opera performance.

Botstein referred to his 'friendship' with Epstein in at least two emails. Epstein steered $150,000 to Botstein in 2016, which Botstein stated he donated to Bard College. Botstein previously denied having a personal connection with Epstein, stating that his contacts were centered on fundraising for the college.

The WilmerHale review found that Botstein made about 25 visits to Epstein's townhouse and a two-day visit to Epstein's Little St James Island. It also found that Epstein made two visits to Bard College, and these visits included multiple women identified as victims of Epstein. Botstein and Epstein were in contact from 2012 to 2019.

A senior faculty member warned Botstein not to engage with Epstein, but Botstein extended invitations to Epstein, including a stay at Bard's guest cottage, attending a conservatory students' concert, and a visit to Bard High School Early College. The WilmerHale review found that Botstein did not see a risk to Bard's reputation or students from pursuing Epstein.

Botstein accepted fees under a consulting agreement with an Epstein entity in 2016 but did not disclose the agreement to Bard's board.

Botstein stated to WilmerHale that he donated the 2016 fees to Bard by rolling them into his and/or his wife's contributions. However, the WilmerHale review found that documents cannot confirm the contribution of the 2016 fees to Bard. Bard's board of trustees received WilmerHale's findings on April 30, after which Botstein submitted his retirement effective June 30.

The board stated that funds associated with Epstein will be directed to organizations supporting survivors of sexual harm. The Executive Committee of Bard's Board of Trustees issued a message expressing gratitude for Botstein's decades of service, acknowledging that concerns raised in recent months have been serious and deeply felt.

Botstein will remain on Bard's faculty as a teacher and musician.