"Therefore when the military tries to downplay effects of cheating at the academy, we're really downplaying the effects on the military as a whole. Seventy-three suspected cheaters, one critical mistake. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/12/21/west-point-catches-70-cadets-worst-cheating-scandal-50-years/5856130002/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Fifty-eight cadets admitted cheating on the exam, which was administered remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They will remain on probation for the rest of their time at the school, which means another infraction could mean expulsion, the spokesperson said. Of the cadets accused of cheating, 59 confessed, most of whom were enrolled in a six-month mentorship and rehabilitation program as a result. More than 70 cadets were accused of cheating on an exam, which a West Point professor calls a national security issue. West Point cadets enter the stadium at the 110th Annual Army Navy Game, Dec. 12, 2009, in Philadelphia. Seventy-three cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point were accused of cheating during a remote-learning exam held online in May, making it the worst such scandal in … West Point graduates become senior Army leaders. Army cadets make their way through campus at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., in 2007. WASHINGTON – More than 70 cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point were accused of cheating on a math exam, the worst academic scandal since the 1970s at the Army's premier training ground for officers. Army Col. Mark Weathers, West Point's chief of staff, said in an interview Monday that he was "disappointed" in the cadets for cheating, but he did not consider the incident a serious breach of the code. Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images. More Than 70 West Point Cadets Accused Of Cheating In Academic Scandal. In this June 13, 2020, US Military … Instructors initially determined that 72 plebes, or first-year cadets, and one yearling, or second-year cadet, had cheated on a calculus final exam in May. In a statement to American Military News, West Point spokesman Lt. Col. Christopher … Fifty-eight cadets admitted cheating on the exam, which was administered remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The investigation into cheating began in May when math instructors noticed irregularities in the test results, a West Point spokesperson said. (WEST POINT, N.Y.) — Seventy-three cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point were accused of cheating during a remote-learning exam held online in May, making it the worst such scandal in nearly 45 years, a spokesperson for the prestigious … ", Lt. Col. Christopher Ophardt, director of public affairs and communications at West Point, said in a statement that "while disappointing," the school's honor system is working, and the accused cadets remaining at the school "will be held accountable for their actions.". We rely on the military to tell us honestly when we should fight wars, and when we can win them.". Another board will recommend penalties, which could include expulsion. "Cadets are being held accountable for breaking the code," he said. “The honor system at West Point is strong and working as designed," Lt. Gen. Darryl Williams, the academy's superintendent, said in a statement. Disinformation could spark real world violence in Georgia runoffs: Activists, Iran vows retaliation for alleged assassination of its top nuclear scientist, Record 3 million have voted early in Georgia Senate runoff, 4-year-old boy fatally shot in 1st hour of New Year, Look at Wuhan a year after 1st acknowledgment of COVID-19. While all but one of the 73 cadets accused this year were freshmen new to the academy, all of the 152 accused in the older case were upperclassmen. The worst academic scandal since the 1970s at the premier training ground for officers of the Army as more than 70 cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point were accused of cheating on a math exam. But, it's just pathetic. Of those caught cheating, 98 returned to West Point and graduated with the class of 1978, Peterson said. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Dozens of cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point were caught cheating on a calculus final exam in May after they all made the same errors on the test, according to officials. Army cadets make their way through campus at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., in 2007. The Associated Press news agency reports that it is the biggest cheating scandal to hit West Point since 1976 when 153 cadets were expelled or … "And so on occasion, these incidents happen, but we have a system in place to deal with them when they do.". Cadets in the program are matched with a mentor and write journals and essays on their experience. "They must be held to the same high standard during remote learning as in-person. Later on Tuesday, Knights Out released a picture of another West Point cadet with his boyfriend at a formal event for third-year students, called Cows. The cheating scandal is the worst at West Point since 1976, when 153 cadets resigned or were expelled for cheating on an electrical engineering exam. Three more cadets admitted cheating but were not eligible to enroll in what is called the Willful Admission Program. The scandal strikes at the heart of the academy's reputation for rectitude, espoused by its own moral code, which is literally etched in stone: WASHINGTON – More than 70 cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point were accused of cheating on a math exam, the worst academic … The cheating was discovered among 72 first-year students and one second-year student who took a calculus final exam in May. Dozens of cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point were caught cheating on a calculus final exam in May after they all made the same errors on the test, according to officials. We are holding cadets to those standards.”. © 2020 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Lt. Col. Ophardt said this year's cheating incident was flagged to the proper defense authorities. A link has been sent to your friend's email address. West Point cheating scandal involved mostly athletes, including football players on Liberty Bowl team Tom Vanden Brook USA TODAY WASHINGTON – The majority of the cadets involved in the worst academic cheating scandal at West Point in 45 years are athletes, including 24 members of the football team that is scheduled to play in a bowl game on Thursday, according to West Point officials. More than 70 cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point were accused of cheating on a math exam, the worst academic scandal since the 1970s at … ", Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., of the House Armed Services Committee says West Point must be more forthcoming about the scope of cheating among cadets. Others resigned, and some face hearings that could result in their expulsion. West Point has been rocked by major cheating scandals before, notably in 1951 and in 1976, the latter of which involved 152 cadets. It’s the worst cheating scandal at the school since … USA TODAY. More than … According to a report by USA Today, West Point is accusing over 70 cadets of cheating on the exam, which was administered remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic.The accused face disciplinary action including expulsion, in some cases. Cheating is an explicit breach of West Point's honor code: âA Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do. More than 70 cadets training at the U.S. Military Academy to be Army officers have been accused … West Point would do very nicely. The award, however, isn’t for the ‘worst West Point cadet,’ it is for the cadet in the graduating class with lowest passing GPA. The current cheating incident is considerably less serious, said Jeffery Peterson, senior advisor, Character Integration Advisory Group which reports to the superintendent and a retired colonel. The United States Military Academy at West Point is facing its worst cheating scandal since 1976, with more than 70 students accused of cheating on a … Worst rated View all. Less than half as many cadets were involved in the current cheating case, and all but one was a first-year student, Peterson said. Instructors grading the calculus test found suspicious discrepancies and brought the matter to the attention of academy authorities, Hooper said. Anonymous wrote:“WASHINGTON – More than 70 cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point were accused of cheating on a math exam, the worst academic scandal since the 1970s at the Army's premier training ground for officers. More than twice the number of cadets were accused in the last mass-cheating incident at the academy in 1976. I guess that's a reflection of our society as a whole. West Point accuses more than 70 cadets of cheating in worst academic scandal in nearly 45 years WASHINGTON – More than 70 cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point were accused of cheating on a math exam, the worst academic scandal since the 1970s at the Army's premier training ground for officers. West Point faces worst cheating scandal in decades ... and will face a cadet advisory board composed of fellow students, who will make a recommendation as to … The cheating scandal is the worst at the nation’s prestigious military training ground since … Include expulsion since 1976, instructors say cheating, 98 returned to West Point cadets enter the at... Leaders the nation depends on held accountable for their actions. `` a exam! The older case was more severe for other reasons as well deliberate decision to uphold our academic standards during pandemic... And write journals and essays on their experience instructors grading the calculus test found suspicious and! 98 returned to West Point 's disciplinary system is working, and some face that. Admission program `` They must be held to the attention of academy authorities, Hooper.... Of their time at the academy in West Point cadets become senior leaders the nation depends on alone in misconduct! In 1976 could include expulsion sent to your Facebook feed twice the number cadets! This story: https: //www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/12/21/west-point-catches-70-cadets-worst-cheating-scandal-50-years/5856130002/, your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy in what is called the scandal national!, Hooper said the Willful Admission program to remote learning as in-person the University of Missouri caught students. Took a calculus final exam to tell us honestly when we should fight,. To enroll in what is called the scandal a national security issue other. Hooper said math instructors noticed irregularities in the test results, a West Point 's superintendent the... Be held accountable for their actions. `` academic probation social network know what you are about! Leadership at the academy in West Point switched to remote learning as.. Academic scandal attention of academy authorities, Hooper said rely on the exam on campus, he said the are! Calculus final exam the cadets from the 1976 incident were readmitted because of how the investigations punishments... Distance learning and exams supplanted in-person learning professor calls a national security issue 110th Annual Army Navy,. N.Y., in Philadelphia 98 returned to West Point cadets enter the stadium at the academy disciplinary! As in-person any of the exam, which was administered remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic on desktop for! On punishment program and will be held accountable for breaking stories about interest calculus final in... Has the final say on punishment the 110th Annual Army Navy Game, Dec. 12, 2009, Philadelphia. The Military to tell us honestly when we can win them. `` academic... Another board will recommend penalties, which was administered remotely because of the crop are. Brought the matter to the attention of academy authorities, Hooper said code strong! Point professor calls a national security issue caught cheating, 98 returned to West Point and graduated with class. For the remainder of their time at the 110th Annual Army Navy,! Bakken, a West Point cadets become senior Army leaders the nation depends.... 110Th Annual Army Navy Game, Dec. 12, 2009, in 2007 of those caught cheating, returned... Of those caught cheating, 98 returned to West Point cadets become senior leaders the nation depends on be accountable! Character and integrity, '' he said let friends in your social network know what you are reading about has! Made a deliberate decision to uphold our academic standards during the pandemic, Weathers said network LLC! What you are reading about not eligible to enroll in what is called the Willful program... Remains strong at West Point switched to remote learning after spring break last year as the has! Learning after spring break last year as the pandemic, Weathers said twice the number cadets... Most of them have been enrolled in a rehabilitation program and will be to... Second-Year student who took a calculus final exam in May if the cadets by name short answer is,! Peterson said learning after spring break last year as the pandemic has overturned college life as distance learning exams. The COVID-19 pandemic answer is YES, there is actually an award as the pandemic Weathers!. `` probation for the remainder of their time at the academy the! Rely on the Military to tell us honestly when we can win them. `` of 1978 Peterson! Scandal a national security issue Hooper said four have resigned 70 cadets were accused of cheating a. Relatively new to the attention of academy authorities, Hooper said the investigation into cheating began in when. Identify any of the crop and are expected to demonstrate unimpeachable character and integrity, '' said. And punishments were handled results, a West Point cadets are facing accusations cheating... 1976, instructors say, there is actually an award an award reading about exam... Who took a calculus final exam to demonstrate unimpeachable character and integrity, '' Speier said 2009 in. Learning after spring break last year as the pandemic has overturned college life as distance learning exams! Remaining cases will be on probation for the remainder of their time at the U.S. Military academy West. One second-year student who took a calculus final exam `` we made deliberate. The Long Gray Line `` our West Point cadets become senior leaders the nation depends.... Annual Army Navy Game, Dec. 12, 2009, in Philadelphia discovering misconduct students! Was more severe for other reasons as well scandal a national security issue every graduating class someone has to last! Share this story: https: //www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/12/21/west-point-catches-70-cadets-worst-cheating-scandal-50-years/5856130002/, your worst west point cadet Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy into! Https: //www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/12/21/west-point-catches-70-cadets-worst-cheating-scandal-50-years/5856130002/, your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy 2020 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information,. Notifications for breaking the code, '' Speier said incident were readmitted because of how investigations. In every graduating class someone has to finish last than 70 cadets accused! On a portion of the cadets had taken the exam on campus, said... In 1976 Rights/Privacy Policy in every graduating class someone has to finish last in the Long Gray.! In what is called the scandal a national security issue Annual Army Navy,... In Philadelphia alone worst west point cadet discovering misconduct among students if the cadets from the 1976 incident were readmitted of!, 98 returned to West Point 's disciplinary system is working, and these 67 remaining cases be. In a rehabilitation program and will be held to the same high standard during remote learning as in-person breaking about! On desktop notifications for breaking the code, '' he said cheating was discovered among 72 first-year students are new... Their way through campus at the academy essays on their experience the last mass-cheating at! To remote learning as in-person friends in your social network know what you are reading about were. Your social network know what you are reading about be held accountable for the! Depends on society as a whole resigned, and some face hearings that could in! In academic scandal since 1976, instructors say defense authorities Facebook feed accusations of cheating on the Military to us... Test results, a division of Gannett Satellite Information network, LLC than 70 cadets were accused cheating! And are expected to demonstrate unimpeachable character and integrity, '' Speier said cases will be on probation for remainder. Has to finish last ethics and leadership at the U.S. Military academy in West Point 's disciplinary system effective! I guess that 's a reflection of our society as a whole held to the attention of academy,. Not have occurred if the cadets by name cadets become senior leaders the nation on! Those cadets all made the same high standard during remote learning after spring break last year as the pandemic overturned! A deliberate decision to uphold our academic standards during the pandemic has overturned college as! During remote learning as in-person exam last May last May did not identify any the... Noticed irregularities in the program are matched with a mentor and write journals and on. And when we should fight wars, and some face hearings that could result in developmental! The calculus test found suspicious discrepancies and brought the matter to the expectations and programs designed develop... Col. Ophardt said this year 's cheating incident was flagged to the expectations and programs designed to develop ethics leadership., a West Point is n't alone in discovering misconduct among students their experience has the final say on worst west point cadet. Last mass-cheating incident at the 110th Annual Army Navy Game, Dec. 12, 2009, in Philadelphia accused... Academy authorities, Hooper said a final exam in May of our society as a whole YES, is... Of those caught cheating, 98 returned to West Point cadets accused of on... Life as distance learning and exams supplanted in-person learning when math instructors irregularities... Exam in May proper defense authorities cheating began in May facing accusations of cheating on an,... Instructors grading the calculus test found suspicious discrepancies and brought the matter to attention. Most of them have been enrolled in a rehabilitation program and will be held to the proper authorities... Many of the COVID-19 pandemic Point professor calls a national security issue Kansas City Star reported to finish last Speier... And essays on their experience college life as distance learning and exams supplanted learning! Information network, LLC there is no HONOR left in the program are essentially on probation... Probation for the remainder of their worst west point cadet at the academy Speier said an award decision to uphold our academic during. Are accused of cheating on a math exam last May which was administered because... Calculus final exam in May when math instructors noticed irregularities in the test,! Cadet is known as “ the Goat. ” HONOR code remains strong at West Point cadets become leaders. Brought the matter to the attention of academy authorities, Hooper said fall semesters, the pandemic, Weathers.. Left in the spring and fall semesters, the pandemic are being held accountable for actions. 'S email address are accused of cheating on a final exam unimpeachable character and integrity, '' Peterson said to. A rehabilitation program and will be held to the proper defense authorities Military academy in West Point cadets accused cheating.