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Bard College

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education10 days ago•7 min saved

Epstein Ties Put Bard College’s Enduring Leader Under Scrutiny

Leon Botstein, Bard College’s long‑time president who rebuilt the school from debt to a sprawling, multi‑billion‑dollar enterprise, comes under renewed scrutiny after Justice Department documents reveal years of contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including fundraising discussions and efforts tied to young musicians. Botstein says the relationship was for fundraising, while critics warn the ties could harm Bard’s reputation; protests have been limited and the board has largely stood by him, with Botstein apologizing for his involvement as he marks decades at Bard.

via The New York Times|

#bard-college #donors #education

education23 days ago•5 min saved

Bard College President Leon Botstein’s Epstein Ties Surface in New Documents

New documents show Bard College president Leon Botstein’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein went beyond fundraising, including a 2013 email saying 'Miss you', a 2017-era watch purchase, and a planned 2012 trip to Epstein’s island; Botstein says these interactions were about securing long-term funding for Bard, not personal gain, but the disclosures raise questions about donor influence and ethics in small liberal arts colleges.

via The New York Times|

#bard-college #donors #education

education25 days ago•5 min saved

Epstein connected Woody Allen’s daughter to Bard College, emails show

Justice Department emails reveal Jeffrey Epstein helped Bechet Allen, Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn’s daughter, gain admission to Bard College by coordinating with Bard President Leon Botstein; Bard says the admission was merit-based, and Bechet Allen later graduated in May 2021.

via The New York Times|

#admissions #bard-college #bechet-allen

us-news25 days ago•14 min saved

Leaked emails show Epstein’s attempt to help Bechet Allen get into Bard College

A batch of leaked messages shows Jeffrey Epstein coordinating with Soon-Yi Previn and Bard College officials, including Bard President Leon Botstein, to facilitate Bechet Allen’s potential admission to Bard. The thread details arranging campus visits and meetings, with Woody Allen later thanking the contacts for helping Bechet secure admission, highlighting the influence of private connections in college admissions.

via The New York Times|

#bard-college #bechet-allen #jeffrey-epstein

ethics2 years ago•3 min saved

Epstein's Financial Transactions with Chomsky and Botstein Revealed

Leon Botstein, the president of Bard College, received $150,000 in consulting fees in 2016 from a foundation created by Jeffrey Epstein, which he donated to the college as part of a $1 million gift. Dr. Botstein confirmed the payment from Gratitude America and said that he did not benefit personally from it. Bard College said that Dr. Botstein gave the $150,000 as part of his annual 2016 gift to Bard, along with personal savings and the rest of his non-Bard income from honoraria and outside conducting fees. The college added that it would not have accepted Epstein's support had it known the extent and horror of his crimes.

via The New York Times|

#bard-college #donation #ethics

controversy2 years ago•3 min saved

Financial ties between Epstein, Chomsky, and Bard College president revealed

Noam Chomsky and Bard College president Leon Botstein had financial dealings with Jeffrey Epstein, who helped move $270,000 for Chomsky and paid $150,000 to Botstein. Both academics confirmed they had met with Epstein multiple times. Epstein also gave Bard College $75,000 in unsolicited donations in 2011. Botstein said Epstein had designated him as a consultant on the payments and made them appear as if they were fees for consulting work, which Botstein said he did not do for Epstein.

via The Guardian US|

#bard-college #controversy #donations

education2 years ago•6 min saved

The Jeffrey Epstein Controversy: Connections to College Presidents, Billionaires, and Celebrities.

Leon Botstein, the president of Bard College, defended his pursuit of donations from Jeffrey Epstein, stating that it was his duty to raise money for the institution. Botstein made frequent visits to Epstein's Upper East Side townhouse, hoping to secure funding for Bard's commitment to social justice, prisoner education program, and liberal arts mission. Bard College was struggling financially after the 2008 financial crisis, and Epstein's unsolicited $75,000 gift in 2011 was followed by two dozen visits over four years. Botstein said that he hoped for more donations, but Epstein's efforts to humiliate and string him along proved unsuccessful. Bard College has no restrictions on which donors it may accept money from, but gifts over $10,000 require approval by the board of trustees.

via The New York Times|

#bard-college #donations #education