Bard faculty call for ‘transition’ plan for college president linked to Epstein | Jeffrey Epstein
Bard College faculty members called on the group’s board of trustees to develop a “leadership transition” plan for Leon Botstein but stopped short of calling for the college president to resign amid revelations of his relationship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The trustees announced Feb. 19 that it had appointed an outside law firm, WilmerHale, to conduct an “independent review” of communications between Epstein and Botstein, who served as president of the university for 50 years.
The faculty has so far remained silent about the revelations that emerged as part of recent emails and other communications released by the Justice Department, including that Botstein took a trip to Epstein’s island in 2012.
A person familiar with the matter said faculty members discussed for two weeks how to respond to the controversy and discussed different courses of action, including calling for Botstein’s resignation, and that they now believe they have enough information about his relationship with Epstein to be considered “disqualifying.”
Botstein had previously defended her relationship with the sexual predator, who pleaded guilty in 2008 to charges of promoting prostitution and soliciting a minor for prostitution.
Botstein, who has worked at Bard since 1975, said he first came into contact with Epstein in 2011, years after he was found to be a sex offender, after receiving what was called a “sex offender.” A $75,000 unwanted gift Epstein to Bard High School Early College. Botstein said he maintained the relationship “to fulfill my responsibilities as the university’s fundraising officer.”
He also said in a letter to the campus community that Epstein was “not my friend,” WAMC News reported.
Botstein also claimed: He was sick and left alone He said he attended a dinner on the island of Epstein in 2012 and went there just to attend a fundraiser with billionaire investor Leon Black.
Ultimately, the statement took a more conservative approach, adopted by faculty members representing various departments of the university and then presented to the faculty senate, which agreed to share it with the board of directors.
“This statement represents the voices of faculty across academic disciplines at Bard College who are encouraging open inquiry, institutional self-examination, and commitment to change at this time. The gravity of the situation requires both moral clarity and procedural fairness,” the statement says.
“We share our deep outrage and dismay at the revelations contained in the Epstein files and offer our deepest support to the women and children exploited, trafficked, entrapped, and abused by Jeffrey Epstein and his associates. The revelations regarding President Botstein’s relationship with Epstein raise questions that concern both the College as a whole and President Botstein personally.”
The statement also expresses support for the board’s decision to organize an independent review of files and the college’s policies regarding donor review, fundraising, codes of conduct and conflicts of interest.
“We believe faculty should be an integral part of deciding next steps following the investigation to build towards a strong future for the institution,” the statement reads.
The faculty statement also points to what is called “Botstein’s proposal” to develop a plan for the transition in leadership. That was a reference to comments Botstein allegedly made during a February meeting with faculty leaders and program chairs in which he raised the possibility of retiring in the near future, said a person involved in the matter who did not want to speak on the record because of possible retaliation. The person said it was interpreted by people who heard it as being within the calendar year or within 2-3 years.
In a statement to the Guardian, the trustees said: “The law firm is considering all comments and communications and is proceeding as quickly as possible, consistent with a comprehensive review. The board aims to share the results as soon as possible.”
