The Justice Department released millions of pages of Epstein-related records that name numerous high‑profile figures; universities are now grappling with reputational fallout as faculty and alumni names surface. Duke professor Dan Ariely appears repeatedly in the archive, according to reporting that found hundreds of references and email exchanges suggesting recurring contact, though the documents do not allege criminal conduct. The broader DOJ disclosure includes emails and records involving other prominent individuals and has prompted renewed scrutiny of institutions and their links to wealthy donors and visitors. University officials and legal teams are reviewing records, and campus leadership is monitoring any investigations or media inquiries. Why it matters: Large, public document releases that mention academics or donors can trigger internal inquiries, ethics reviews, and trustee-level reputational risk work at colleges—driving inquiry protocols for universities that suddenly appear in highly public legal disclosures.