‘Borderline Dystopian’: Harvard Kennedy School Students Urge Denaming of Wexner Building

Harvard Kennedy School students urged administrators to remove Leslie H. Wexner’s name from the school’s main building following renewed scrutiny of his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey E. Epstein, saying the continued presence of the name has caused distress within the student body.

Wexner’s name remains attached to the Kennedy School’s most prominent building, which houses classrooms, common spaces, and the school’s dining hall and sits at the campus’s main entrance.

Students said the building’s visibility has made it difficult to avoid daily reminders of Wexner’s legacy.

“To me, it feels borderline dystopian to walk in through the main entrance of the Leslie H. Wexner Building,” said Ana-Sofia Gonzalez, a second-year master’s in public policy student.

Several students described emotional and personal impacts tied to the continued use of the name, particularly in light of Epstein’s crimes.

“As a survivor of sexual assault and a parent of a 14-year-old, my stomach felt like it dropped out of my body,” said Lauren E. Barnes, a mid-career master’s in public administration student, recalling when she learned of Wexner’s ties to Harvard.

Barnes said she hopes the University will center those directly affected as it considers its next steps.

“I want Harvard to put its students and its survivors at the center of the process, not just its donors or a PR firm, and really listening to those that are impacted,” she said.

In a statement, an HKS spokesperson said the school takes seriously concerns raised by affiliates regarding Epstein’s crimes.

“We take concerns raised by members of our community very seriously,” the spokesperson wrote. “Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes are reprehensible.”

The spokesperson added that Harvard is conducting a review of individuals — including donors — named in the Epstein files “to evaluate what actions may be warranted.”

The renewed attention follows the public disclosure last week of an internal FBI document from April 2019 that named Wexner as a co-conspirator of Epstein alongside Ghislaine Maxwell and other associates. Wexner’s name had previously been redacted but was released after Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) called for its disclosure.

Wexner donated more than $42 million to the Kennedy School before 2012. While he has not been charged with a crime related to Epstein, the disclosure has prompted renewed scrutiny of his philanthropic footprint at Harvard and reopened questions about donor accountability.

Other students framed the issue as a test of institutional values.

“If the school doesn’t take action to remove this name, it’s a very public symbol of our failure as an institution to live up to the values that we espouse,” said Hanna A. Tripp, a second-year master’s in public administration student.

Tripp added that while past decisions to accept donations may have been made without full knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, the current moment demanded moral clarity.

“Once you brought awareness to the problem,” she said, “it really speaks to the character of the institution on whether or not to take action.”

Some students said they believe Harvard could do more to grapple with its ties to Epstein.

“It makes me feel dirty and complicit in something I never consented to and do not condone,” Gonzalez said.

Others emphasized broader concerns about donor vetting.

“I think it’s a larger question around what goes into vetting a donation — a large donation — and how much scrutiny is that person put up to,” said Brittany S. Mangini, an HKS student.

The spokesperson also pointed to Harvard’s denaming policy, which outlines criteria for renaming buildings, including compassion for community members and grounding decisions in historical inquiry and careful deliberation. Denaming proposals may be initiated by students, staff, or faculty.

In July 2025, Harvard removed “John” from the name of John Winthrop House following a yearslong review prompted by a 2023 student petition and a Faculty of Arts and Sciences committee investigation into the legacies of two John Winthrops associated with the House.

The decision stopped short of fully denaming the House but was intended to address concerns raised by students who said the name alienated Black and Indigenous community members.

Some students pointed to the decision as evidence that Harvard has previously taken action in response to sustained pressure — and argued that the University now faces a similar moment.

“My memory of the Kennedy School will forever be tainted,” Ausama Abdelhadi, an MC/MPA student, wrote in a statement to The Crimson. “Leadership by definition is having the good judgement to act.”

—Staff writer Sophia E. Alcacer can be reached at [email protected] and Signal at sophiaalcacer.88. Follow her on X at @sophiaalcacer.

—Staff writer Jen L. Phan can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on X at @jenllphan.