The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "higher education" ...
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For-Profit-College Business Model Breeds Exploitative Marketing Tactics
In the first radio piece: Interviews with former recruiters, faculty, administrators and students of a small group of for-profit colleges in Minnesota paint a picture of schools that are exploiting unsophisticated students for their financial-aid money. Analysis points to a high-enrollment, high-dropout business model that earns the company millions but provides questionable return on taxpayer investment. In the second radio piece: Political differences at the federal level make it unclear how much the government will regulate for-profit colleges. At the Minnesota state level, the leading official for higher-ed says his agency doesn’t have the resources to go after problem colleges – and isn’t sure whether beefing up enforcement would be the best use of higher-education funding.
Tags: Non-profit colleges; financial aid; business models; for-profit colleges
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Education for Sale
Education Management Corp. was already a swiftly growing player in the lucrative world of for-profit higher education, with annual revenues topping $1 billion, but it had its sights set on industry domination. So, five years ago, the Pittsburgh company's executives agreed to sell its portfolio of more than 70 colleges to a trio of investment partnerships for $3.4 billion, securing the needed capital for an aggressive national expansion.
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A Shameful Low in Higher Education
"This article uncovered flagrant disregard of the rights of disabled students at the University of Buffalo and highlighted how the university was breaking laws outlined by the ADA"
Tags: ADA; higher education; student newspaper
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Inside the RSOs
Boozer examined the perks afforded undergraduate administration - from paid tuition, parking and stipends for six full-time students totally almost $70,000. The fees came from the University of Memphis' Student Activity Fee. The follow-ups included coverage of a freshman senator who was dismissed for being quoted in the story.
Tags: higher education; student fees; undergraduate administration; tuition
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Risky Business
The investigation revealed “how a school district’s use of risky “swaps” - derivatives that are bets on interest rate swings - caused huge losses and higher taxes for the district”. These “swaps”, given by financial advisors and investment banks, brought in millions of fees for them and left the school district in debt. Further, the school and adviser failed to terminate two swaps, which cost taxpayers millions more.
Tags: Bethlehem Area School District; education; tax system; finances; board; administration; Stanley J Majewski; Joseph Lewis
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"Coaches' Salaries 2009: College Football Special Report"
The average pay for college football coaches has increased 46 percent in the last three years. Amid a floundering economy, cutbacks have spread across higher education budgets, but college football coaches continue to see a rise in their salaries. In 2009, 25 coaches made at least $2 million, which is double that of their salaries just two years ago.
Tags: Pete Carroll; Bob Stoops; Urban Meyer; college football; coach salaries; Nick Saban; NCAA; Gary Pinkel; Mizzou; Missouri Tigers; Tiger football; David Yost; Brent Pease
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Felons Working in Higher Education
After Weber State University implemented a background check policy for current and incoming faculty and staff, The Signpost uncovered at least eight employees who were convicted of a felony or had "serious misdemeanors" on their records. Since the investigation started, three WSU employees are no longer employed at the university.
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Failing our Students
The story looked at how kids slip through the public schools without learning literacy. The newspaper found that about 20 percent of their region's freshman can't read higher than a fourth grade level.
Tags: education; illiterate; literacy; teaching; poverty;
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Victory and Ruins
The series revealed how a community's blink embrace of a successful team compromised judges, prosecutors, police agencies, a university and the media. The University of Washington's 2000 team was its last to go to the Rose Bowl, but at least two dozen players on that team were arrested while at UW.
Tags: athlete; football; scholarship; corruption; FERPA; higher education; lawsuit; sports; National Football League
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Sexual harassment at UGA
During a semester-long investigation The Red & Black discovered the University of Georgia was finding professors in violation of the sexual harassment policy but still allowing them to teach and, in some cases, allowing them to dictate the details of their resignations.
Tags: sexual harassment; higher education; professors; students; illicit affairs; teaching; sexual abuse