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Bard College has postponed its highly anticipated fundraising gala, originally scheduled for Thursday (March 26), indefinitely following revelations about college president Leon Botstein’s past relationship with the late Jeffrey Epstein. The decision was announced via email by gala co-chairs James Cox Chambers and Roland Augustine, who stated the event will not be rescheduled "until further notice" and provided information for donors seeking refunds or to redirect their contributions. Unless donors request otherwise, funds will go to the Bard College Fund, as reported by MidHudsonNews.com.
The gala, set to be held at Manhattan’s Cipriani venue, was to celebrate Botstein’s 50-year tenure and the college reaching a $1 billion endowment. However, growing scrutiny over Botstein’s acceptance of a $150,000 personal gift from Epstein—later reframed as part of a $1 million institutional donation—sparked concerns about conflicts of interest and donor trust, according to AInvest.com.
In response to the controversy, Bard’s board of trustees has hired law firm WilmerHale to conduct an independent review of all Epstein-related transactions, communications, and the college’s donor vetting policies. The scope of the investigation includes recommendations for future fundraising and conflict-of-interest guidelines, as noted by Bloomberg.
No official reason for the postponement was given, but the timing follows the public release of Department of Justice emails showing a personal connection between Botstein and Epstein, including friendly correspondence and visits, which contradict previous statements describing their relationship as strictly transactional.
The board’s actions are widely viewed as a move to address governance risks and protect donor confidence during the ongoing review. The results of WilmerHale’s investigation, along with upcoming IRS Form 990 disclosures, will likely shape future leadership and fundraising strategies at the college. The board has committed to sharing the review’s findings, and any further actions—including possible leadership changes—may depend on the outcome and response from the Bard community.