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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
7 snips
Aug 20, 2025 • 27min
Breaking Deadlock
Explore the dramatic influence of the Sputnik launch on U.S. education, driving urgent reforms in science and math. Delve into the formation of the Department of Education and its vital role in facilitating access to higher education for low-income Americans. Hear personal stories from DOE employees facing challenges after the recent election and the concerns about student loan policies. Reflect on the implications of political shifts, including proposals to dismantle federal support for education, and the ongoing battle over educational control in America.
Aug 13, 2025 • 28min
The Robinson Center
A student reporter uncovers troubling rumors about misconduct at University of Washington's prestigious Robinson Center, a school for students as young as 14.
For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts
To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 6, 2025 • 34min
Campus Cult
As a freshman at Long Beach State, Chele joined a church that was popular with other students. What she didn't know: the group had been accused of cult-like behavior by students nationwide. Years later, she's sharing her story — and warning others about an organization that's still recruiting on college campuses today.
For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 30, 2025 • 35min
The Army's Got Your Goat
In 1965 a group of 5 people broke into a secret Naval base to kidnap a key figure as part of a covert operation. That key figure? A goat named Bill. The kidnappers? West Point cadets.
For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 23, 2025 • 31min
Coach v. Physician
Scott Lynch, an orthopedic surgeon who once made crucial decisions for Penn State football, shares his insights after being fired for prioritizing player safety over a coach's demands. He discusses the emotional and ethical dilemmas faced by medical staff in college sports, revealing a culture that often values profits over health. Lynch's personal journey highlights the systemic issues in athlete welfare, the conflicts between coaches and medical professionals, and the urgent need for change in the treatment of injured athletes. His story is a call for stronger protections and advocacy.
Jul 16, 2025 • 31min
Operation Free Kick
The operation we now know as Operation Varsity Blues didn’t begin the way you might expect. It was uncovered by chance. Prosecutor Eric Rosen takes us behind the scenes of how investigators discovered—and ultimately prosecuted—the largest college admissions scandal in American history.
For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts
For more on Eric’s work, check out: https://www.dynamisllp.com/talent/eric-rosen-white-collar-defense To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 9, 2025 • 28min
Who Speaks for Loyola?
In 2016, Loyola University welcomed a new president, sparking excitement on campus — the first woman and the first layperson ever to lead the school. But the honeymoon didn’t last. Soon, the student paper found itself facing an administration determined to protect the university’s image at all costs — even if it meant censoring the press.
For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
4 snips
Jul 2, 2025 • 34min
Bessie on the Dome
Larry Cater, a chemical engineer and MIT alumni, along with Aaron Bobak, a computer science student and current engineering dean, share the humorous tale of the 1979 Bessie on the Dome prank. They dive into the chaotic yet creative heist that involved relocating a 300-pound fiberglass cow to MIT's iconic Great Dome. Expect laughter as they recount unexpected challenges, the spirit of MIT's prank culture, and the clever strategies used to pull off this legendary stunt, all while celebrating the adventurous camaraderie of college life.
Jun 25, 2025 • 33min
Higher Ed for Sale
Mills College, the first all-women’s college west of the Rocky Mountains, had a rich history of social justice and women's leadership. That is, until the school shocked everyone by announcing it was going bankrupt and would soon be absorbed by a new owner, leaving its storied legacy hanging in the balance.
For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 18, 2025 • 30min
The D
For years, Dartmouth’s student newspaper quietly struggled to stay afloat. Then in 2021, a student uncovered a case of massive financial fraud that would shake the paper to its core.
For a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/campusfiles-transcripts To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
