At a graduation ceremony for high schools affiliated with Bard College, Leon Botstein shared an unexpected piece of advice, saying, “To get anything done, you’re going to have to dance with the devil.”

Bard College operates four high schools in New York City and one in Newark. During the ceremony, students repeatedly booed the college’s outgoing president, who recently announced his retirement after revealing his previous close relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

The students displayed their disapproval each time the president, Leon Botstein, was mentioned. They particularly heckled him when he gave advice for managing complex people who are not good or honest. “To get anything done, you’re going to have to dance with the devil,” Mr. Botstein stated.

The noise from the students became overwhelming inside the United Palace venue in Upper Manhattan, causing Mr. Botstein to pause and shake his head. He added, “The fifth piece of advice I would give is appropriate to your response: Don’t judge too quickly things in life.”

Mr. Botstein did not mention Epstein by name. However, Jennifer Strodl, a spokeswoman at Bard College, clarified that he was not referring to him. From 2012 to 2017, Mr. Botstein exchanged messages and visits with Epstein despite warnings from senior faculty to avoid interaction with him, following Epstein’s conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution.

“President Botstein was emphasizing that functional societies require engaging with those we disagree with, avoiding division, and upholding dialogue, disagreement, and debate,” the college said in a statement.

Several students believed Botstein’s remarks were a reference to the disgraced financier, and noted that their boos were driven by his association with Epstein.