Leon Botstein, the long-serving president of Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, announced his retirement effective at the end of June, following revelations of his extensive relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. In a communication to the Bard community, Botstein, 79, did not directly address the scrutiny surrounding his ties to Epstein but noted that he waited to announce his retirement until an independent review was completed. The review, conducted by the law firm WilmerHale, concluded that while Botstein did not engage in illegal activities, his decisions related to Epstein raised significant concerns about his leadership. The review highlighted that Botstein had minimized his relationship with Epstein in public statements and had previously disagreed with faculty members who opposed engaging with Epstein. The Bard Board of Trustees acknowledged Botstein's contributions to the college while emphasizing the seriousness of the concerns raised. They also stated that funds associated with Epstein would be redirected to support organizations aiding survivors of sexual harm. Botstein will remain on Bard's faculty as a teacher and musician.