President of Harvard calls university's decision making surrounding Epstein donations 'principled'

The President of Harvard, Lawrence Bacow, sent a letter Friday to alumni and friends of the university to discuss Jeffrey Epstein’s financial connections to the institution.

According to the review of Epstein's involvement with Harvard, Epstein donated a total of $9.1 million to the university over the course of a 10 year period between 1998-2008.

"The report issued today describes principled decision-making but also reveals institutional and individual shortcomings that must be addressed—not only for the sake of the University but also in recognition of the courageous individuals who sought to bring Epstein to justice," wrote Bacow. 

In 2005, Harvard admitted Epstein as a visiting fellow in their Psychology Department.

“Epstein lacked the academic qualifications Visiting Fellows typically possess, and his application proposed a course of study Epstein was unqualified to pursue,” reads the report. At the time of his admission, Epstein had recently donated $200,000 to the program. 

Despite almost no evidence that implied Epstein was actually pursuing his proposed course of study as a visiting fellow, Harvard re-admitted him for second year. Only as a result of Epstein’s 2006 arrest was he asked to withdraw as a fellow.

The report also indicates that, even after receiving an 18-month sentence in 2008 and registering as a Level III sex offender in Florida and New York, Epstein continued to regularly visit the university.

Of the $9.1 million in gifts from Epstein, the university is still in possession of $200,937 in unspent funds, which they plan on donating to “My Life My Choice,” and “Girls Educational & Mentoring Services,” two organizations that support victims of human trafficking and sexual assault. “Harvard is proud to support their important and valuable work,” wrote Bacow.