It’s your normal Sunday evening ritual: you’re doomscrolling through Instagram. All of a sudden, your feed explodes with news alerts about how top institutions like Harvard and University of California, Los Angeles are connected with strong ties to notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. On January 30, the United States Department of Justice released another batch of Epstein files. This recent set revealed that several prestigious universities have prominent faculty and donors affiliated with Epstein to secure control and funding, particularly for science research. It is critical for universities to immediately break these ties and reprimand members involved in Epstein’s behavior, especially to prevent academic corruption and preserve the safety of both students and schools.
Most apparently, the root of this corruption, with ties to Epstein, is the “for prof-it” model of private institutions. Due to the necessity for money, faculties turn to figures such as Epstein to obtain funding. When money is prioritized, morality is sidelined. Boston Latin School history teacher Mr. Dominic Rinaldi notes, “When you function with a ‘for profit’ mentality, you really can’t have morality.”
An effect of money prioritization, despite the source, is the complicity of these top schools regarding Epstein’s trafficking and victimization of women and children. For institutions that preach integrity and pride themselves on being role models, this breach directly undermines the core values they claim to uphold. If these prestigious schools are allowing unethical behavior, how are students and other schools supposed to look up to them?
In handling cases like these, universities should do thorough background checks on faculty and donors to ensure that they are not currently or previously affiliated with people that directly contradict the respective institution’s values.
The student bodies of these prestigious institutions, furthermore, face negative impacts due to such corruption. The public outrage and consequences since the release of the files distract students from their central goal of obtaining higher education. It robs them of a healthy environment to foster learning, as students are left feeling disillusioned and unsafe. Many students who may have experienced similar traumatizing incidents or are closely affiliated with a case similar to Epstein’s may feel betrayed by their school for indirectly facilitating such unethical activities.
Although some might argue that accepting this “tainted” money is a “necessary evil” to carry out important functions, this completely ignores the numerous other methods institutions have for obtaining funding. From state or federal funding to alumni, schools do not have to go to immoral lengths such as accepting money from convicted felons.
Additionally, when these universities receive funding, they need to use it in a way that aligns with the wider student body’s values. For example, they could grant financial aid to lower income students or fund important initiatives that advance the success of the students on campuses. This way, schools are getting money to support their students, which is the main point of college.
Beyond the breach of morality and student safety, this kind of corruption is ultimately concerned with control in the academic world, specifically scientific research. Despite the objectivity of science, the areas researched, the manner in which this research is conducted and the interpretation of the results are ultimately tied to money. Those who give the money influence where and how it gets used. It could be tied toward a political agenda, pushing for publications on one issue while putting aside a less favorable one. Steven Sahatjian (I), a BLS Amnesty International club officer, warns, “Powerful people and institutions can use money to push for research that they want published, like Epstein [did].” This ultimately destroys internal academic integrity and could lead to the rewriting of scientific knowledge to appease influential donors.
Rather, academia should be funded more holistically to preserve the integrity of education and separate it from politics. Funds from donors tied to Epstein, among others, can instead be directed to support groups for sexual assault victims. By following these steps, universities show the public that they care about their students’ education and are able to use “tainted money” to help fix the problem that started it.
Cases like Epstein’s involvement in academia need to be addressed immediately for higher education to operate ethically. Academia simply cannot be safe when the leaders of these institutions are complicit in the victimization of minorities. While individual students may feel powerless, to make a difference, we can collectively work together and push for the eradication of academic corruption one step and one confrontation at a time. BLS Assistant Head of School Danielle Murray advises, “Keep the pressure up on institutions. When you learn something, ask the hard questions. Don’t stop until you get answers.”