Universities Pressured to Remove Names of Epstein Associates from Campus Buildings

Protests grow at schools with buildings named for figures tied to the late sex offender

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:35pm

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Protests are growing at U.S. universities where buildings are named for associates of the late sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein. At Ohio State University, a steady drumbeat of protests has sought to remove billionaire retail mogul Les Wexner's name from buildings, citing his well-documented association with Epstein. Similar calls are arising over Wexner-named buildings at Harvard University and other campuses with buildings named for different Epstein associates.

Why it matters

The backlash across higher education against figures with ties to Epstein, who cultivated an extensive network including powerful people in the arts, business and academia, has led to scrutiny of university donors as well as academics whose emails with Epstein surfaced. Removing the names of Epstein associates from campus buildings is seen as a way for universities to distance themselves from the disgraced financier's legacy and demonstrate accountability.

The details

At Ohio State, a group of former athletes who survived a sexual abuse scandal argue that Wexner's generosity to the school is now tainted by the knowledge that Epstein was entangled in many of his family's spending decisions, including around the football complex's naming. At Harvard, a group of students and faculty at the prestigious Kennedy School has targeted the Leslie H. Wexner Building and the Wexner-Sunshine Lobby, citing Wexner's 'strong ties to Epstein' and arguing Epstein profited off Wexner. Similar pushback is growing on other campuses, including Haverford College in Pennsylvania and UCLA.

  • In recent months, a steady drumbeat of small protests have been held on the Ohio State University main campus.
  • Just last weekend, the student body at Haverford College in Pennsylvania voted to urge the president to forge ahead with the renaming process for the Allison & Howard Lutnick Library.

The players

Les Wexner

A billionaire retail mogul and Ohio State University alumnus whose name is on several buildings on the OSU campus, including the Wexner Medical Center and the Les Wexner Football Complex. Wexner has faced scrutiny over his well-documented association with the late Jeffrey Epstein.

Jeffrey Epstein

A late financier and convicted sex offender who cultivated an extensive network of powerful associates in the arts, business and academia.

Ravi Bellamkonda

The new president of Ohio State University, who said the process to consider removing Wexner's name from campus buildings is 'thorough, fair, and open.'

Wendy Raymond

The president of Haverford College in Pennsylvania, who previously said she wasn't ready to rename the Allison & Howard Lutnick Library but has now said she will respond to a student resolution on the matter within 30 days.

Lauren Barnes

A student in the Kennedy School's master's program at Harvard University, leading the effort to remove Wexner's name from buildings on that campus.

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What they’re saying

“Thinking about all the children in this world that deserve safety and also all the survivors on campus that have to walk under the Wexner name, I know what that's like to have my heart race and my hands get sweaty. I hate that anyone else has to have that feeling walking under that name and just dealing with it kind of everywhere on campus.”

— Lauren Barnes, Student, Harvard Kennedy School

“As I've said repeatedly, I deeply regret ever having met this individual, but at no time have I conducted myself inappropriately.”

— Andrew Farkas, Graduate chairman, Hasty Pudding Institute

What’s next

The five-step review process at Ohio State University to consider removing Wexner's name from campus buildings is ongoing, with no set timeline. At Haverford College, the president has said she will respond to the student resolution on renaming the Allison & Howard Lutnick Library within 30 days.

The takeaway

The growing pressure on universities to remove the names of Epstein associates from campus buildings highlights the moral and financial bind these institutions face. While the donations from these figures have funded major campus facilities, their ties to Epstein's crimes have led to calls for accountability and a distancing from his legacy, especially among younger generations of students and faculty.