Epstein Files Cast Pall Over US Campuses as Faculty and Students Express Disappointment
The recent release of documents by the US Department of Justice has exposed deep ties between the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and major institutions of higher education across the United States. These revelations have triggered a widespread reckoning on campuses, with universities grappling with the implications of relationships involving board members, professors, and administrators.
In response, some institutions have placed professors under review, closed research centers, or canceled conferences. Students and staff have mobilized through petitions, open letters, and campus forums to demand accountability and transparency.
Barnard College Faculty Demands Investigation into Donor Ties
At Barnard College, a private women's liberal arts college affiliated with Columbia University in New York City, more than 70 faculty members signed an open letter calling for the university to acknowledge and investigate correspondence between Epstein and Francine LeFrak, a prominent donor and board trustee. LeFrak appears 15 times in the Epstein files, including instances where she invited Epstein to join her on trips, such as one to Rwanda in 2010.
The faculty letter describes the connection as repugnant, especially since it occurred after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. It urges Barnard to remove LeFrak's name from the Francine A LeFrak Center for Well-Being, which houses programs for sexual violence education and prevention. Many faculty expressed outrage, questioning how a women's college dedicated to female empowerment could be associated with a sex offender.
A Barnard professor, who requested anonymity, stated, "I just feel a real, deep disappointment, because I think, as a women's college, our mission is directly antithetical to every revelation of those files." The college has retained independent counsel to review the matter and emphasized that it has never accepted money from Epstein.
Columbia University Takes Disciplinary Action and Makes Donations
Columbia University disciplined two individuals affiliated with its dental college after documents revealed they assisted Epstein's girlfriend in gaining admission. Dr Letty Moss-Salentijn was stripped of her vice-dean title, while Dr Thomas Magnani was removed from admissions committees. Additionally, the university announced a $210,000 donation to non-profits supporting survivors of sexual abuse and human trafficking, matching funds received from Epstein.
UCLA Faces Backlash Over Professor's Correspondence
At the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), email correspondence between Dr Mark Tramo, an adjunct professor of neurology, and Epstein over 12 years has sparked outrage. In one exchange from 2010, Tramo forwarded messages from female students interested in research opportunities, to which Epstein replied, "are either of these cute." Tramo responded, "we'll see! (you're terrible!)" Despite his profile being removed from the university website, Tramo continues to teach, prompting a petition with over 10,000 signatures calling for his dismissal. UCLA declined to comment.
Bard College Grapples with President's Relationship with Epstein
Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, is confronting revelations of a long-term relationship between its president, Leon Botstein, and Epstein. Students have penned an open letter demanding Botstein's resignation, while he clarified that his interactions were solely for fundraising purposes. The board of trustees has retained an external law firm to conduct an independent investigation. Students expressed conflicted feelings, noting Botstein's 50-year tenure and fundraising success, with one stating, "Putting Bard in a transitional period would only hurt the more vulnerable parts of the institution."
Other Universities Launch Investigations and Impose Sanctions
Harvard University is investigating ties to Epstein, with former president Larry Summers stepping down from his teaching position during the probe. The university confirmed it is widening its investigation into donor relationships, following a 2020 review that found Epstein donated $9.1 million between 1998 and 2008. Yale University barred computer science professor David Gelernter from teaching while reviewing his connection, after he recommended a student to Epstein in an email describing her as a "v small good looking blonde."
Ohio State University announced an investigation into Dr Mark Landon after files revealed regular payments from Epstein. Union College trustee Brad Karp resigned over emails sent to Epstein. The Fashion Institute of Technology suspended a professor, identified as Lawrence Delson, for alleged connections to Epstein.
Broader Repercussions Extend Beyond Academia
The Epstein files have caused seismic repercussions across various industries globally. In the UK, Peter Mandelson was dismissed as British ambassador to the United States due to his relationship with Epstein and has been asked to testify before Congress. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to Epstein dealings.
In the US business world, billionaire Thomas Pritzker stepped down as executive chair of Hyatt hotels, and Kathryn Ruemmler resigned from Goldman Sachs after emails revealed her close ties to Epstein. Dr Peter Attia left his role at a protein bar company following the release of lewd correspondence. Hollywood talent agent Casey Wasserman decided to sell his agency after communications with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell were revealed, though he remains chair of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
This ongoing scandal highlights the pervasive influence of Epstein's network and the urgent need for ethical scrutiny in academic and professional circles.
