Campus Files: Scandals, Secrets & Crimes at American Universities

Audacy

College holds a mythic place in American culture, hailed as the best four years of your life and revered as a beacon of integrity and excellence. But behind the polished campus tours and glossy brochures lies a far more complicated reality.
Each episode of Campus Files uncovers a new story, exploring everything from rigged admissions to sports scandals, free speech, and hazing.
Consider this your unofficial campus tour.
Do you have tips or story ideas?
Send us an email: campusfilespod@gmail.com‬.
For additional stories on scandals that have rocked American institutions, check out seasons 1-3 of Gangster Capitalism in this feed:
Season 1: The College Admissions Scandal
Season 2: The NRA
Season 3: Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University

Campus Files is an Audacy original podcast.

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86 episodes
Updated July 22

Episodes86

Newest first

May 14, 2025 · 31 min
For Profit - Part 1: The Pain Funnel
For the last 30 years, a group of schools have targeted America's most vulnerable students, saddling them with mountains of debt and a poor education, all for the sake of profit. Mike DiGiacomo fell victim to two of these schools. For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts
May 7, 2025 · 28 min
Weed in the Garden of Academe
Half of all college students and 73% of social fraternity members experience hazing. As it turns out, hazing has a long and deadly history in the United States and we know about this history in large part because of the hard work of one man, Hank Nuwer. For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts
Apr 30, 2025 · 32 min
USC's Drug Peddling Dean
In 2016, a woman overdosed on meth in a Pasadena hotel room. The man who provided the drugs: Dr. Carmen Puliafito, the dean of USC’s Keck School of Medicine. As one reporter at the Los Angeles Times fought to expose the truth, he encountered a power structure that made publishing the story all but impossible.Read Paul's book about this story: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250824103/badcity/ For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts
Apr 23, 2025 · 23 min
Food Science?
Cornell's Brian Wansink was at the top of his field, renowned for translating behavioral science into practical tips for improving eating habits. He famously popularized the notion that we tend to eat more when served in large bowls. But, when skeptical researchers and journalists exposed Wansink for manipulating data, his fall from grace led to the dismantling of Cornell's entire food psychology department, and raised questions about the state of scientific research as a whole. For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts
Apr 16, 2025 · 28 min
Trojan Course
In 2010, USC launched a fully remote version of its prestigious social work program. According to USC’s website, it offered the same professors, curriculum, and career services as the on-campus version. However, those who enrolled—at a cost of over $100,000—soon discovered that the program was far from what it claimed to be. In fact, it wasn’t even being run by USC. For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts
Apr 9, 2025 · 27 min
Carolina Way - Part 3 | Carolina's Favorite Son
Holden Thorp was the chancellor of UNC when the university faced the worst atheltic scandal in its history. This week, he opens up about his experience—revealing what he knew, what he kept hidden from the public, and what he would do differently if given the chance. For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts
Apr 2, 2025 · 28 min
Dogmatic Slumber
In 2019, after nearly two decades at Duke University, one of its most popular—and controversial—professors was abruptly ousted. For the first time, Evan Charney reveals the untold story behind his departure. For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts
Mar 26, 2025 · 25 min
Dissension in the Ranks
In 2022, Columbia University math professor Michael Thaddeus published a 21-page analysis accusing his own university of submitting flawed data to U.S. News & World Report. His findings would cause the entire academic world to question the legitimacy of college rankings. For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts
Mar 19, 2025 · 25 min
The Party Never Ends
In 2016, police uncovered a multi-million dollar drug ring operated by fraternity brothers at the College of Charleston. The police report reads like a Breaking Bad episode, complete with firearms, grenade launchers, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in hidden cash. Read Max's book about this story: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/among-the-bros-max-marshall?variant=41509299290146 For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts
Mar 12, 2025 · 31 min
The Hazing of George Desdunes
In February 2011, George Desdunes was kidnapped by freshman pledges as part of a hazing ritual. He was blindfolded, tied up, and made to consume a lethal amount of alcohol. When George's mother stepped in to get answers, she was met with silence. For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts
Mar 5, 2025 · 30 min
Hot for Chancellor - Part 2
In 2023, Joe Gow, the long-serving chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, began posting pornographic videos featuring him and his wife, revealing a double life the couple had long kept hidden. This revelation ultimately cost him his job. In this episode we visit Joe and his wife, Carmen Wilson, at their home to hear their side of the story. This episode contains references to pornography and sex and may not be suitable for younger listeners. For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts
Feb 26, 2025 · 25 min
Hot for Chancellor - Part 1
In 2023, Joe Gow, the long-serving chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, began posting pornographic videos featuring him and his wife online, revealing a double life the couple had long kept hidden. This revelation ultimately cost him his job. Through interviews with a journalist who covered the story, a former coworker, and archival audio, this episode explores the boundaries of free speech within higher education today.This episode contains references to pornography and sex and may not be suitable for younger listeners. For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts
Feb 19, 2025 · 25 min
Harvard's Secret Court
In 2002, Harvard undergraduate student Amit Paley stumbled upon a strange entry in Harvard’s archival database: “Secret Court Files, 1920.” This discovery unearthed a dark and little-known chapter in Harvard’s history—a secret disciplinary tribunal convened in 1920 to investigate and punish students for being “guilty” of homosexuality. Read Amit's original reporting: https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2002/11/21/the-secret-court-of-1920-at/ For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts
Feb 12, 2025 · 28 min
Alabama's Segregated Sororities
In 2013, Alpha Gamma Delta senior Melanie Gotz made national headlines when she revealed that sorority hopefuls were being cut from rush based on race. Her allegations shed light on the entrenched segregation within the University of Alabama’s Greek system — a system that, in over 100 years, had extended a bid to just one Black woman. Read Abbey and Matt’s reporting: https://thecrimsonwhite.com/16498/news/the-final-barrier-50-years-later-segregation-still-exists/ For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts
Feb 5, 2025 · 29 min
The Carolina Way - Part 2
For years, UNC protected its athletic dominance wth fake classes to keep athletes eligible. In 2011, the secret exploded into public view, threatening to shatter the university’s athletic standing. Read Andy’s book: https://press.umich.edu/Books/D/Discredited2 Read Dan Kane’s reporting: https://www.newsobserver.com/profile/218713930/dan-kane For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts
Jan 29, 2025 · 27 min
The Carolina Way - Part 1
Between 1993 and 2011, UNC operated a shadow curriculum—hundreds of courses and independent studies that never met, required no work, and awarded high grades. The reason? To keep athletes eligible for UNC's multi-million dollar sports program. Read Jay and Mary's book: https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/potomac-books/9781640122468/cheated/ For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts
Jan 28, 2025 · 2 min
Introducing: Campus Files
College holds a mythic place in American culture. It’s often hailed as the best four years of your life and revered as a beacon of integrity and excellence, but beyond the scripted campus tours and glossy brochures lies a far more complicated reality. Campus Files is a new weekly podcast series produced by the award winning studio, Audacy Originals. Every week, a new episode, a new scandal, and a new story.
Dec 8, 2021 · 1 hr 35 min
Gangster Capitalism S3: Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University | Bonus 2: Shannon
Jane Doe 15 tells her story.
Aug 25, 2021 · 1 hr 12 min
Gangster Capitalism S3: Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University | Bonus: Jane Does v. Liberty
More survivors of sexual violence at Liberty speak for the first time, revealing yet again how deeply the coverup culture on campus is rooted. Our reporting has led to a lawsuit against Liberty, in which the women featured in episode 3, those in this episode, and others have joined.
Jul 7, 2021 · 1 hr 3 min
Gangster Capitalism S3: Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University | Ep 8: Playing With Fire
Liberty University strayed far from its mission under the leadership of Jerry Falwell Jr, but even in the wake of his departure, the future of the school may be determined by those who enabled him.

Campus Files: Scandals, Secrets & Crimes at American Universities

For Profit - Part 1: The Pain Funnel

Weed in the Garden of Academe

USC's Drug Peddling Dean

Food Science?

Trojan Course

Carolina Way - Part 3 | Carolina's Favorite Son

Dogmatic Slumber

Dissension in the Ranks

The Party Never Ends

The Hazing of George Desdunes

Hot for Chancellor - Part 2

Hot for Chancellor - Part 1

Harvard's Secret Court

Alabama's Segregated Sororities

The Carolina Way - Part 2

The Carolina Way - Part 1

Introducing: Campus Files

Gangster Capitalism S3: Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University | Bonus 2: Shannon

Gangster Capitalism S3: Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University | Bonus: Jane Does v. Liberty

Gangster Capitalism S3: Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University | Ep 8: Playing With Fire