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Nicholas Walmsley @hulegu.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Reposted by FC Staff

one of the problems with Leon Botstein is that he really does not seem to believe he has done anything morally culpable www.chronicle.com/article/leon...

chronicle.com

Opinion | Leon Botstein’s Amoral Accounting

Despite what the departing Bard president claims, colleges can’t launder tainted money.

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FC Staff @fcopenletter.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

We're grateful for the support of colleagues across campus, including Bard College B&G and ES SEIU Local 200United Members. #bard #bardcollege #solidarity

Bard College Buildings and Grounds Department and Environmental Services stand with the Fisher Center staff!
– Bard College B&G and ES SEIU Local 200United Members. SEIU and FC Staff logos. White background purple text.

FC Staff @fcopenletter.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

"The [Bard Staff Driver] told me Botstein had a reputation for yelling and being rude to drivers. On one occasion, he picked up a close friend of Botstein’s [who said he] was “having a tantrum” [because he was] indignant that someone at Bard wasn’t doing what he said." www.wamc.org/news/2026-07...

wamc.org

Leon Botstein steps down as president of Bard College – but what does that actually mean?

As the college tries to move past the controversies surrounding Botstein's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the nature of the former president's ongoing relationship with Bard is unclear.

FC Staff @fcopenletter.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

We just want to get to do our jobs. And we don't want our paycheck to come from Satan. If that doesn't seem like a high bar to you either, sign on in support: tinyurl.com/fcstaffletter #bard #bardcollege #botstein #leonbotstein

There are hundreds of us putting in long and hard days on the opera. We’re so proud of our work.

But for many of us, it’s complicated by the absence of clarity around Leon’s role now that his contract has ended, his poor leadership, and concerns about choosing between our jobs and complicity.

If he’s fundraising for next year’s opera, I don’t know if I can work on it. - Current Staff member

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FC Staff @fcopenletter.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

"Botstein appeared in thousands of emails regarding meetings...years after Epstein had pleaded guilty to one count of “Felony Solicitation of Prostitution” and one count of “Procuring Person under 18 for Prostitution” and was already a registered as a Sexual Offender." operawire.com/bard-college...

operawire.com

Bard College Arts Staff Calls for Leon Botstein's Full Termination - OperaWire

The Fisher Center at Bard College performing arts staff have published an open letter to the College's Board of Trustees and Transition Committee demanding that the College not rehire ousted President...

Inside Higher Ed @insidehighered.com · 01/07/2026

Reposted by FC Staff

After 51 Years at Bard and 6 Months of Scandal, Botstein Retires Lawmakers are asking the former president to sit for a transcribed interview about his interactions with Jeffrey Epstein. Current and former performing arts center employees are asking the board not to allow... bit.ly/4fequdS

A photo illustration of former Bard College President Leon Botstein with his glasses and bow tie highlighted over a shot of the campus in orange.

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Reposted by FC Staff

Chris McIntosh @therealchrismci.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

It’s July 1st, the day after Botstein’s contract ended—is he still an employee of Bard College or not?

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FC Staff @fcopenletter.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

FC Staff feel we're risking our livelihood in choosing to speak out. But we love the Fisher Center, and want it to grow and thrive. Will you help us stand up for our community? tinyurl.com/fcstaffletter

The Fisher Center was a place that was so magical for me. Since February, the place I love so much has felt like America during McCarthyism. We cannot speak freely about what is going on, or ask questions without fear of who is lurking in the hallways or listening in.

My colleagues and I cannot stand up for what we know to be right without fearing that we will lose our jobs. - Current Staff Member

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FC Staff @fcopenletter.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

www.thedailycatch.org/articles/maj... “We’ve decided to say out loud what many of our staff have been afraid to say for years of work under his leadership. Botstein is unfit to hold any leadership position at Bard or the Fisher Center.” tinyurl.com/fcstaffletter

thedailycatch.org

Majority of Fisher Center Staff Lead Public Push to End Leon Botstein’s Performance Roles at Bard - The Daily Catch

A group of current and former employees at the Fisher Center has demanded that he be forbidden from working there.

FC Staff @fcopenletter.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Today Botstein's contract as president of Bard ends. We don't know what's next. We wonder what else has been lost – donors who have refused to give, students who didn't enroll, musicians no longer working here. We know about some staff and artists. How many more are there? tinyurl.com/fcstaffletter

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Botstein likes obscure, neglected, rarely performed works, from outside the standard repertoire. But only some works. By only some composers. Staff, students, artists, and audiences deserve better. tinyurl.com/fcstaffletter

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This is not what leadership looks like. This is not what a healthy working environment looks like. Sign on in support of FC Staff at Bard: tinyurl.com/fcstaffletter

We want a workplace where colleagues are treated with respect and are able to hold each other accountable. We don't want an artistic leader whose values do not represent Bard or FC. Will you help us build a better Bard? Sign on in support: tinyurl.com/fcstaffletter

I received an email in which Leon described work that I collaborated on as “a little booklet...[that is] a cross between a bad joke and a severe offense.”

He instructed that Bard College’s land and slavery acknowledgement were to be moved to the end of the document, as that’s where he said “virtue signaling” belongs. - Current staff member

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It's not just staff. It's not just students. If the Board puts Botstein in a position of leadership, it will impact everyone. Will you support our community? Sign on to our letter: sites.google.com/view/fc-open...

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We are not making friends over on instagram... so much for what it says in the student handbook: "Bard defends the rights of free speech and expression, dissent and protest. There can be no intellectual debate without honesty and integrity." In the meantime, check us out at tinyurl.com/fcopenletter

Instagram screenshot showing "You submitted an appeal on June 29, 2026. It usually takes us about an hour to review your information. check back here. Your account is not visible to people on Instagram. and you can't use it."

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The Fisher Center has lost valuable staff and collaborators as a direct result of Botstein's behavior, never mind the countless hours, dollars, tears... We want Bard, the Fisher Center, and its team to be the best version they can be. Want to help us get there? tinyurl.com/fcopenletter

Speak truth to power, get a frivolous and unfounded Terms of Service report, get back at it. We know how it goes and we're still here - will you help protect our right to free speech as affirmed by Bard College, even if not by its trustees? tinyurl.com/fcopenletter

Google Docs - "We're Sorry. You can't access this item because it is in violation of our Terms of Service." Caption: "well, someone doesn't agree with Bard's stated affirmation of the right of free speech..." with a link that reads "now back to our scheduled program"

Viola Smart @smartvpants.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

No more exceptions to the rule. That's how powerful people are able to do–and keep doing–bad things. We want the Fisher Center and its staff to be able to hold each other accountable, and for the organization to to thrive. Will you help us? Sign on in support: tinyurl.com/fcopenletter

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Reposted by FC Staff

Gross that they seemed to have waited until Epstein wasn't in the news to quietly go back on accountability.

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Reposted by FC Staff

Janice Blake @janiceblake.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

High School Students Heckle Bard President Over His Ties With Epstein www.nytimes.com/2026/06/22/n... It might be a good idea for Mr. Botstein to give up on the idea of making inspirational speeches to young people (or anybody).

nytimes.com

High School Students Heckle Bard President Over His Ties With Epstein

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Botstein should not be allowed to fundraise for and teach at FC when he keeps repeating this as defense of his behavior, as recently as last week, to children enrolled in Bard programs (NYT). Do you think the Board should allow him to teach this to young musicians at Bard? tinyurl.com/fcopenletter

The Fisher Center at Bard staff and supporters are demanding a future without Leon Botstein in a position of leadership and fundraising. Will you join us in telling the Board of Trustees uphold their decision to terminate his contract? Sign on - full letter here: docs.google.com/document/d/e...

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From the groundhog page of Wikipedia (also known as a woodchuck): "if the burrow is invaded, the groundhog tenaciously defends itself with its two large incisors and front claws...when alarmed, they use a high-pitched whistle to warn the rest of the colony." See you tomorrow.

orange background with the word "FC STAFF", with staff bolder. there is a line drawing of a woodchuck jumping across a sun.