Harvard economist Larry Summers said he will step back from public commitments after newly released emails showed he maintained contact with Jeffrey Epstein years after the financier’s 2008 guilty plea. Summers issued a public apology and pledged to “rebuild trust and repair relationships,” while indicating he will continue teaching. The disclosures are part of a broader tranche of documents that have renewed scrutiny of philanthropic and research funding ties between wealthy donors and academic institutions. Separate reporting shows researchers who received Epstein funds corresponded about support and, in some cases, measures to handle misconduct allegations. Institutional leaders and development officers should review donor-screening policies, conflict-of-interest processes, and transparency practices for legacy gifts. Boards must be prepared to respond publicly when historical donor relationships surface, and counsel should review donor agreements and naming rights for legal and reputational exposure.