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The U.S. Military Academy, also known as West Point accused over 70 cadets of cheating on their May calculus final in a scandal of a magnitude not seen since 1976, USA Today reports.

West Point officials said that 58 students already admitted to cheating on their calculus final. As of today, four cases have been dropped after cadets resigned and two other cases have been dismissed altogether.

“There’s no excuse for cheating when the fundamental code for cadets is that they should not lie, cheat or steal,” said Tim Bakken, a West Point law professor.

“Therefore when the military tries to downplay the effects of cheating at the academy, we’re really downplaying the effects on the military as a whole. We rely on the military to tell us honestly when we should fight wars, and when we can win them," Bakken added.

In total, 72 cadets in their first year participated in the cheating scandal as well as an additional cadet in their second year. According to West Point, 55 cadets have been formally charged with violating the academy's code of honor. Those guilty of violations have been assigned to the Willful Admission Program.

West Point's Chief of Staff Mark Weathers told the newspaper that the violations would not have occurred if cadets were still on campus. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cadets have been forced to adapt to off-campus learning, which has created inroads for cheating scandals of this kind.

“Cadets are being held accountable for breaking the code. While disappointing, the Honor System is working, and these 67 remaining cases will be held accountable for their actions,” Weathers said.

For West Point, maintaining a sterling organizational reputation is of the utmost importance as some of the nation's greatest leaders attended the academy, such as Dwight D. Eisenhower, Mike Pompeo, George S. Patton, and even Ulysses S. Grant.

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