Resolution criteria

This market will resolve to "Yes" if Leon Botstein is no longer the president of Bard College by 11:59 PM ET on December 31, 2026. If he remains in the position of president at that time, it will resolve to "No".

Official announcements from Bard College or verified reporting from reputable news organizations (e.g., The Chronicle of Higher Education, The New York Times, major wire services) stating that Leon Botstein has resigned, been terminated, or otherwise left the presidency will serve as confirmation. The retirement of the presidency, even if he remains at the institution in another capacity, constitutes an "ousted" or departure event for the purposes of this market.

Background

Leon Botstein has served as the president of Bard College since 1975. In early 2026, the release of documents from the Jeffrey Epstein files revealed extensive correspondence and interactions between Botstein and the late convicted sex offender. Botstein has maintained that these interactions were solely for the purpose of soliciting donations to the college.

In February 2026, the Bard College Board of Trustees engaged the law firm WilmerHale to conduct an independent review of these connections. As of April 2026, Botstein has acknowledged that he intends to retire as president eventually, with plans to remain at the college in another capacity once a successor is found, though no specific timeline has been provided by the college. Numerous alumni and faculty members have publicly called for his resignation in light of the disclosures.