Bennington College Scandal

Institutional Response and Criticism

The administration at Bennington College has faced longstanding criticism for its handling of allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse on campus. Reports and survivor accounts suggest that, over the years, the college often reacted slowly or sometimes not at all when complaints were raised. While some faculty members and staff were called to account, many survivors felt that their concerns were minimized, dismissed, or met with opaque explanations. Students and Bennington alum alike have noted that the college’s responses frequently failed to provide a safe environment or meaningful accountability.

Several former students, including those who later became future writers, have described their time at Bennington as simultaneously inspiring and fraught with anxiety. The college’s emphasis on creativity, literary exploration, and close mentorship fostered friendships, artistic growth, and intensive classroom collaboration.

However, the same structures that encouraged such opportunities also allowed power imbalances to go unchecked. Co-led projects, immersive arts courses, and dorm-based interactions sometimes exposed students to situations where faculty misconduct could occur without immediate administrative intervention.

Critics argue that the administration often prioritized the college’s reputation over student safety. While public statements occasionally acknowledged misconduct, survivors reported that internal investigations were inconsistent, lacked transparency, and rarely led to meaningful reform. The only explanation frequently offered to students and parents was a reassurance that “the matter is being handled,” leaving many feeling unheard and unsupported. This approach reinforced a toxic campus culture, where fear, silence, and self-censorship became commonplace.

Alumni reflections including essays, interviews, and podcasts highlight the tension between the college’s celebrated educational environment and its structural failures. The literary brat pack and other cultural observers have noted that the campus environment inspired fictional characters in works like American Psycho and The Secret History, drawing attention to the sometimes dark, insular nature of student life.

These creative works, while fictional, underscore real concerns about the balance of intellectual freedom and personal safety on campus. Shirley Jackson’s influence on the college’s literary culture also shaped the intensity of student engagement, which could inadvertently mask underlying risks.

Specific examples cited by survivors include incidents during fall semester workshops, summer courses, or collaborative projects, where inappropriate behavior by faculty members went unaddressed. Students described moments in the middle of class or during co-led sessions when boundaries were blurred, leaving them uncertain about whom to trust. Reports from graduate and undergraduate students alike suggest that the administration’s responses often failed to reflect the severity of these incidents, contributing to a climate of fear and mistrust within the body of student.

Furthermore, scholarship and research into campus culture indicate that small, close-knit universities like Bennington are particularly vulnerable to these dynamics. The combination of intense academic programs, immersive arts courses, and residential life can foster strong personal connections, but it can also make it difficult for students to report misconduct without fear of social or academic repercussions.

Alumni interviews reveal that friendships and mentorships, while stimulating intellectual growth, sometimes coexisted with a sense of powerlessness or the need to admit to minor infractions to avoid conflict with authority figures.