Campus Files: Episode "The D" - Detailed Summary

Release Date: June 18, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "The D," Campus Files delves into a riveting financial scandal that shook Dartmouth College's oldest student newspaper, The D. Hosted by Audacy, this episode uncovers the layers of deceit, dedication, and resilience within the college's journalistic community.

Background on The D

Dartmouth College, nestled in Hanover, New Hampshire—a town known for its tranquility and low crime rates—hosts The D, the nation's oldest college newspaper founded in 1799. Over centuries, The D has been a cornerstone for campus news, covering everything from local community events to significant issues like the mental health crisis during COVID-19 and the Upper Valley housing shortage.

Kyle, a former editor-in-chief of The D and current Forbes reporter, states at [03:09] that The D was "the only authoritative source of information" on campus, emphasizing its vital role in shaping campus and local opinions through dedicated reporting.

Financial Struggles

Despite its influential position, The D began experiencing financial difficulties. Although advertising revenue saw a temporary boost during the 2020 Democratic primary—where billionaire Tom Steyer purchased numerous ad slots—the paper still operated at a deficit. As Kyle remarks at [06:13], "We joked that the D was just going to be purchased by Tom Steyer because he was just throwing money out the door. And so we had like, tons of money coming in for advertising. And then we still ran a deficit that year."

The deficit was managed by a separate business team led by a publisher, responsible for handling finances, including office space and printing costs.

Appointment of New Publisher Olivia

Amid ongoing financial woes, The D appointed a new publisher, Olivia, who was eager to rectify the paper's financial instability. Olivia, who had been with The D since her freshman year, approached her role with determination. At [07:03], Kyle describes Olivia as someone who "makes very clear to me in our first meeting that she knows that the business staff is not particularly good at their jobs, and she wants to fix things, and that's great."

Introducing Nicole Chambers

To assist with the financial aspects, Olivia worked closely with Nicole Chambers, the office manager with over a decade of experience. Nicole was responsible for bookkeeping, including reconciling bank statements and tracking payments. However, Olivia quickly noticed discrepancies and evasive behaviors when attempting to audit The D's finances.

Olivia's Auditing Efforts

Starting in the summer, Olivia initiated a comprehensive audit to uncover the financial mismanagement plaguing The D. Early signs of trouble emerged when she discovered that significant funds from advertisements had not been deposited as expected. As Mary Harris recounts at [13:19], "We had run an ad months ago, as in like four, five, six months, and we still have not collected money from them. That's weird."

When Olivia raised these concerns, Nicole often responded with convoluted explanations or diverted the conversation to personal matters, making the audit process frustrating and incomplete. For instance, at [14:12], Mary Harris describes Nicole's deflection: "Just yapping about like, well, last night my husband and his friends came over and we cooked them dinner... That's why I couldn't get this report out to you."

Discovery of Embezzlement

Persisting despite initial setbacks, Olivia eventually gained access to raw financial data. Upon reviewing bank statements with Kyle [20:15], they uncovered alarming personal expenditures made using The D's debit card, including $400 at Urban Outfitters and $500 at a restaurant on the Space Needle in Seattle.

Further investigation revealed that Nicole had been siphoning funds from The D's PayPal account, transferring approximately 70% of the funds—amounting to at least $223,000—into her personal account. Margo Gray highlights at [24:11], "We knew donors were important to us and that we got donations, but what we didn't see was all of the donations that were done on the website directly tied to Nicole Chambers' bank account."

Legal Proceedings

Despite presenting evidence to the Hanover Police Department, initial responses were inadequate due to the complex nature of digital banking fraud. The case was eventually escalated to the U.S. Attorney's office, where momentum was regained.

Nicole Chambers was indicted on charges of wire fraud spanning four years. During sentencing on September 16, 2024, Kyle delivered a poignant victim impact statement at [26:10]:

"Nicole, for years, you lied constantly and without restraint to students who were sincerely trying to make their community a better place. For all those years, your embezzlement was a complete and flagrant betrayal of every single one of those volunteers, every single one of those people who every single day poured their hearts into the Dartmouth out of a sense of duty and out of love for the essential craft of journalism."

The judge cited Nicole's failure to repay any of the stolen funds as a significant factor in the sentencing decision. Ultimately, Nicole was sentenced to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

Aftermath and Impact

Throughout the ordeal, The D maintained uninterrupted reporting, showcasing the resilience and commitment of its staff. Post-scandal, The D's finances have stabilized and even strengthened, ensuring its continued legacy.

Kyle praises Olivia's relentless efforts, stating at [27:52]:

"Olivia is the hero of this story. It really took a kick-ass hard driving. Would not take no for an answer person like Olivia to actually get to the bottom of this."

Mary Harris reflects on the positive changes, saying at [28:05]:

"I really feel happy knowing that. I think it made a really positive impact on the paper forever. People are running a paper that will exist for a long time in the future."

Conclusion

"The D" episode of Campus Files masterfully narrates the unraveling of a financial scandal within Dartmouth College's student newspaper. Through dedicated journalism and unwavering determination, the team behind The D not only exposed and rectified significant financial misconduct but also reinforced the institution's integrity and commitment to excellence in reporting.

For more stories on institutional scandals, explore seasons 1-3 of Gangster Capitalism. If you have tips or story ideas, email campusfilespod@gmail.com.