A DOJ release in January revealed that Bard College president Leon Botstein’s conversations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein went beyond fundraising. The two men discussed plans to buy an expensive watch and Botstein visiting Epstein’s island. Bard opened a board investigation into Botstein’s ties to Epstein, which concluded late last month. A brief stated Botstein did not commit crimes but minimized his relationship to Epstein. After the investigation ended, Botstein announced he would retire at the end of June after 51 years as president. He made few public statements and declined media interview requests. At a Shabbat dinner at his home, he addressed retirement, fundraising, his relationship to Epstein, the investigation, his view of the news media, and his legacy at Bard. Bard student affairs leadership criticized the recording and sharing of the dinner conversation.
"A tranche of files released by the Department of Justice in January revealed that Bard College president Leon Botstein's conversations with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein went beyond fundraising for the college. The two men had planned to purchase an expensive watch together and discussed Botstein visiting Epstein's island. In response, the college opened a board investigation into Botstein's ties to the financier, which wrapped late last month. A resulting two-page brief explained that the president did not commit any crimes but did minimize his relationship to Epstein."
"Once the investigation ended, Botstein, soon to be 80, announced he will retire at the end of June after serving as president of the liberal arts college in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y., for 51 years. Over the past four months, Botstein has made few public statements and repeatedly declined or ignored requests for interviews from the media. But over a Shabbat dinner at his home on Friday, Botstein addressed a range of topics with friends, family and any Bard students who chose to attend."
"In response to their questions, he talked about his upcoming retirement, the challenges and rewards of fundraising, his relationship to Epstein, the investigation, his opinion of the news media, and his lasting legacy at Bard. Inside Higher Ed obtained a recording of the dinner conversation, which we've summarized and quoted here. In an emailed statement, vice president for student affairs Dumaine Williams said it was "disappointing that conversations at a religious gathering like a Shabbat dinner were recorded and shared in this manner.""
"These gatherings have long been open to the Bard community in a spirit of trust, respect, and inclusion, which makes this event particularly unfortunate. Read on for Botstein's thoughts ... ... on retirement: Botstein will retire on June 30 and move from the Gerry House, where he's spent his presidency, into the Finberg House, a campus home built about 20"
Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs
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