18 Midshipmen Expelled from U.S. Naval Academy for Cheating
Cheating Results in Midshipmen Being Expelled at U.S. Naval Academy
The Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland removed eighteen midshipmen after they were discovered to have cheated on a final exam.
The exam, SP211 General Physics I, was taken online remotely by 653 midshipmen, most of them being sophomores, in December 2020. Midshipmen were told not to use outside sources, including websites. A post-exam discussion on an online chat network revealed potential “improper use” of outside sources, according to USNA. The superintendent launched an inquiry, which revealed that the 105 midshipmen had likely accessed unlawful materials.
In addition to the 18 midshipmen who were “separated” from the Naval Academy, an additional 82 individuals were found to be in violation of the Honor Concept and will be sanctioned and put on probation for a term of five months.
As a result of the incident, USNA is strongly recommending instructors to employ paper-based, in-person exams. Each midshipman will now write and sign an honor pledge before each exam.
