Bard College president Leon Botstein will retire at the end of the academic year following an independent investigation into his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Bard said an independent review concluded that Botstein downplayed his relationship with Epstein to the campus community. According to WilmerHale’s investigation summary, Botstein frequently contacted and visited Epstein between 2012 and 2019, including about 25 visits to Epstein’s townhome and a two-day visit to his private island. The review also states Epstein visited Bard twice, made donations, and paid Botstein under a consulting agreement. Although the report said Botstein did nothing illegal, it found that he told the community he “did not see a risk to Bard’s reputation” in pursuing Epstein and did not consider how his actions could validate Epstein to potential victims or their parents. Bard’s governing board said it plans an interim leadership period and a national search incorporating stakeholder input.