Resource Center

Stories

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 "tuition" ...

  • UDC

    The 16-part investigative series exposed out-of-control spending by the president of the University of District of Columbia, the only publicly-funded university in the nation's capital. The story shows how the university president used taxpayer dollars on first-class travel, a luxury automobile and home renovations... all when he was doubling student tuition.

    Tags: student tuition; unversity president; University of the District of Columbia; UDC

    By Tisha Thompson; Rick Yarborough; Steve Jones

    WRC-TV (Washington, D.C.)

    2011

  • UDC

    An exposure of out-of-control spending by the president of the University of District of Columbia, the only publicly-funded university in the nation's capital. The investigation showed how President Allen Sessoms used taxpayer dollars on first-class travel, a luxury automobile and home renovations, all while he was doubling student tuition.

    Tags: udc; fraud; washington; taxpayer; dollars;

    By Tisha Thompson; Rick Yarborough; Steve Jones

    WTTG-TV (Washington

    2011

  • 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

    By Chelsea Boozer

    Daily Helmsman (Memphis, Tenn.)

    2010

  • How Student Fees Quietly Boost College Sports

    The investigation found that many college and universities had not been disclosing how much of the student fees was going toward the athletic budgets. In some cases, student fees for athletics can account for as much as 23% of the total mandatory tuition and fees charge.

    Tags: university athletics; college sports; Division I; state schools; tuition

    By Steve Berkowitz; Jodi Upton; Michael McCarthy; Jack Gillum

    USA Today (McLean, Va.)

    2010

  • Big Bucks U

    After a president of a Kansas City medical school is fired unexpectedly, the Star investigates. The investigation found that while the president was earning an extremely high salary, administrative costs at the school were rising. The school board ignored warnings from faculty, administrators, and students.

    Tags: school board; university president; university; salary; tuition

    By Alan Bavley

    Star (Kansas City, Mo.)

    2010

  • Secret Scholarships

    This series reveals a number of scholarships being awarded to "campaign donors, politically connected families and, in at least one instance, a lawmaker's relative." Also, it reveals that many scholarship recipients are required by law to be represented by lawmakers when they receive their scholarships, which many were not. Further, these scholarship programs are practically unregulated and many experts believe the money should be given to those most in need.

    Tags: education; funds; Columbia College Chicago; General Assembly; district; financial support; tuition; money

    By Stacey Alletto; Karlie Baker; Emily Capdevielle; Elida Coseri; Jay Grooms; Laura Lane; Shawna Lent; Nicole Leonhardt; Nicholas Myers; Jeremie Benoit Rosley; Patrick Smith; Sean Stillmaker

    chicagotalks.org

    2009

  • The Tuition Tax Credit

    "Arizona began a groundbreaking tax credit program that steered public revenue to private hands to distribute private-school scholarships." This program was to help the poor obtain the same educational opportunities and lower the cost of education. But this isn't the case, which this series reveals in multiple articles, because the poor still attend public schools.

    Tags: Tax Credit; Public revenues; Private-school; Scholarships; Poor; Public schools; Nonprofit organizations; State; Federal; Education; Arizona; FOIA

    By Ronald J. Hansen; Pat Kossan

    Arizona Republic (Phoenix)

    2009

  • "Scrutinizing Scholarships"

    "Each member of the Illinois General Assembly, the state’s legislative body, can give up to eight one-year scholarships away to any Illinois public university student." When deciding on the scholarship recipients, lawmakers can pick any rubric they want to choose them. In fact, "lawmakers awarded 196 scholarships to relatives of campaign contributors." These scholarships affect the universities because the scholarships are like tuition waivers, which leave the bill for the universities. Further, "university officials note the GA scholarship program costs their institutions about $12 million per year."

    Tags: Illinois; FOIA; General Assembly; University

    By Scott Reeder; Suzanne McBride; Ben Yount; Kevin Lee; Stacey Alletto; Karlie Baker; Emily Capdevielle; Elida Coseri; Jay Grooms; Laura Lane; Shawna Lent; Nicole Leonhardt; Nicholas Myers; Jeremie Benoit Rosley; Patrick Smith; Sean Stillmaker

    Illinois Statehouse News

    2009

  • The high price of Rutgers sports

    For a decade, Rutgers Univeristy pushed hard to become a college football powerhouse. But a six-month investigation of Rutgers athletics -- including a new review of public records the university fought to keep confidential -- found big-time college football came at a greater price than the school disclosed and still refuses to fully document. The investigation found that Rutgers has hiked tuition, canceled classes and eliminated six other varsity sports while doubling its football spending budget; hid millions of sports expenses, including salaries and charter flights, from public view; rushed into a $102 million expansion of Rutgers Stadium to retain coach Greg Schiano and refused to reveal several other financial and fundraising efforts.

    Tags: Rutgers University; college football; financial records; private universities; expense reports; stadiums

    By Ted Sherman; Josh Margolin

    Star-Ledger (Newark, N.J.)

    2008

  • NJ Educators free to use Diploma Mills

    Top school officials and superintendents exploited state law to receive degrees from phony diploma mills. Taxpayers spent tens of thousands in bonuses until their actions were uncovered.dd

    Tags: administrator; Freehold Regional; pay raise; Department of Education; tuition; Breyer State;

    By Alan Guenther; Josh Riley; Paul D'Ambrosio; Jason Method

    Asbury Park Press (Neptune, N.J.)

    2009