Campus Unrest at Bard: Leon Botstein, Epstein, and the Fight for Accountability (4/2/26)

Student protests at Bard College have intensified following revelations about longtime president Leon Botstein and his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, reigniting scrutiny of the school’s history with sexual assault cases. Demonstrations in 2026 echo earlier protests dating back to 1991, with students arguing that Botstein’s ties to Epstein reflect deeper, longstanding issues in how the college has handled allegations of sexual misconduct. Documents and student accounts suggest Botstein maintained contact with Epstein even after being aware of accusations against him, fueling demands for accountability and, in some cases, his resignation.

Beyond the Epstein connection, the controversy has reopened broader criticism of Bard’s institutional response to sexual assault over decades. Lawsuits, Title IX complaints, and student testimonies describe a pattern in which accused individuals were sometimes allowed to remain on campus, with Botstein previously holding significant authority over disciplinary outcomes. While the college has implemented reforms and denies systemic failures, many students and alumni argue that these measures fall short, pointing to a persistent culture of mistrust and calling for deeper structural change rather than limited internal reviews.


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Bard students say Epstein is just the tip of the iceberg