Bard's board voted to end Botstein's tenure as president after independent review of Epstein ties

"Bard College's board of trustees voted to end the 51-year tenure of Leon Botstein, the school's president, last month after board members were presented with the results of an independent review of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, according to emails seen by the Guardian. Botstein framed his departure as a long-planned retirement in a statement on 1 May. The move appears to have created a rift within the liberal arts college's board of trustees."

"One newly appointed board member criticized the vote on Botstein's contract, calling it compromised, according to the email correspondence seen by the Guardian. Bard confirmed this week that its longtime chair the billionaire James Chambers and two others had resigned. The precise circumstances of their departure have not been disclosed. One longtime professor, Bruce Chilton, noted that the recent changes to the composition of the board have created legitimate worry among some faculty and staff that Botstein could potentially extend his post, because decisions which have been made, could be unmade."

"The Guardian has separately learned that an alum of the college has called on the New York attorney general's charities office to launch an investigation into the board of trustees. The alum alleged in a 17-page letter to the attorney general's office that the board had for years prioritized Botstein his reputation, his outside interests, his continued presence, his legacy over the interests of students, staff, faculty and the public. A spokesperson for Bard and the board of trustees did not comment on questions about the vote or the letter that was sent to the attorney general's office."

"In an email, the spokesperson reiterated the college's previous statements on Botstein's legacy and the independent review it commissioned on Botstein's ties to Epstein. She added: Our focus is on the future and continuing to cement Bard's role as the nation's premier liberal arts college. Botstein did not respond to a request for commen"

Bard College’s board of trustees voted to end Leon Botstein’s 51-year tenure after receiving results from an independent review of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Botstein described his departure as a long-planned retirement. The decision reportedly caused divisions within the board, including criticism from a newly appointed member who said the vote on Botstein’s contract was compromised. Bard later confirmed that longtime chair James Chambers and two others resigned, without disclosed details. Faculty and staff expressed concern that future decisions could reverse prior actions. An alum urged New York’s attorney general’s charities office to investigate the board, alleging it prioritized Botstein’s reputation and legacy over students, staff, faculty, and the public. Bard declined to comment on the vote and the letter, emphasizing focus on the future and its independent review.

Read at www.theguardian.com