Message from the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees
On April 30, the Board of Trustees received the findings of WilmerHale’s independent review of communications between President Leon Botstein and Jeffrey Epstein. The Board initiated this review to ensure a thorough and independent understanding of the facts. Subsequent to the conclusion of the review, President Botstein submitted his retirement, effective June 30, 2026, when his current term expires.
The Board is grateful to President Botstein for his five decades of service to Bard College, his countless accomplishments and the lasting impact of his leadership.
We believe an orderly transition is essential to support our students, faculty, and staff, and to ensure continuity through key academic milestones. The Board will soon announce both an interim leader for next year and the details of a national search for our next permanent president, which will involve a wide range of stakeholder input.
The concerns raised in recent months have been serious and deeply felt. We are grateful to those who came forward to share their perspectives, and we recognize the importance of the questions that prompted this review and the deliberation that followed. A summary of WilmerHale’s findings is available here.
The College is committed to strengthening its policies on donor vetting, fundraising, and conflicts of interest. Outside counsel is reviewing existing policies and will present findings and specific recommendations, including on donor vetting procedures, to the Board and the development office. The Board will determine next steps for implementing those recommendations. Funds associated with Jeffrey Epstein will be directed to organizations that support survivors of sexual harm.
Our focus remains on the strength of Bard’s academic mission and the well-being of our community. We are grateful for the resilience, care, and continued commitment of students, faculty, staff, and alumni during this time.
Executive Committee,
Bard College Board of Trustees
Post Date: 05-01-2026
The Board is grateful to President Botstein for his five decades of service to Bard College, his countless accomplishments and the lasting impact of his leadership.
We believe an orderly transition is essential to support our students, faculty, and staff, and to ensure continuity through key academic milestones. The Board will soon announce both an interim leader for next year and the details of a national search for our next permanent president, which will involve a wide range of stakeholder input.
The concerns raised in recent months have been serious and deeply felt. We are grateful to those who came forward to share their perspectives, and we recognize the importance of the questions that prompted this review and the deliberation that followed. A summary of WilmerHale’s findings is available here.
The College is committed to strengthening its policies on donor vetting, fundraising, and conflicts of interest. Outside counsel is reviewing existing policies and will present findings and specific recommendations, including on donor vetting procedures, to the Board and the development office. The Board will determine next steps for implementing those recommendations. Funds associated with Jeffrey Epstein will be directed to organizations that support survivors of sexual harm.
Our focus remains on the strength of Bard’s academic mission and the well-being of our community. We are grateful for the resilience, care, and continued commitment of students, faculty, staff, and alumni during this time.
Executive Committee,
Bard College Board of Trustees
Post Date: 05-01-2026