West Point officials have confirmed that more than 70 cadets at the U.S. Military Academy were accused of cheating on a calculus exam in May that they took remotely rather than on school grounds due to the coronavirus pandemic.
First reported by USA Today, the scandal has led to 59 cadets admitting to cheating, eight cadets facing honor code hearings that could result in expulsion, four cadets resigning and two getting off due to lack of evidence.
“A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do,” according to West Point’s code of honor, which students must commit to in exchange for free tuition and a $10,000 annual stipend, according to NPR.
Of the 73 cadets who were accused of cheating on the exam, 72 were plebes, or first-year cadets, said the academy’s public affairs director Lt. Col. Christopher Ophardt.
“The honors process is working as expected, and there have been no exceptions to policy for any of these cases,” Colonel Ophardt said in a statement. “Cadets are being held accountable for breaking the code.”
The majority of students who admitted to cheating have been allowed to remain at West Point on the condition they complete a rehab program that includes meeting with a mentor and extra classes about the honor system. They will also be on probation for the rest of their time at the academy.
West Point previously had a major cheating scandal in 1976 when more than 150 seniors were expelled or resigned for cheating on an electrical engineering final exam.
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