Students at Bard College organized protests calling to “take back Bard” amid an investigation into President Leon Botstein’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein and growing allegations of a permissive harassment culture on campus. Demonstrators are demanding accountability from trustees and administrative action to address sexual‑misconduct claims and alleged governance failures. Bard’s situation highlights trustee and presidential vulnerability when external investigations intersect with campus activism. Peer institutions with high‑profile leadership reviews may revisit complaint handling, trustee oversight and transparency protocols to mitigate reputational and legal risk.