Three face expulsion in Coast Guard Academy cheating probe

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- Three cadets at the Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut are facing possible expulsion and more than three dozen others have been disciplined in an investigation into cheating on an online quiz, officials announced Tuesday.

Authorities said a lengthy investigation determined the students violated the New London academy's honor code when they cheated on the online quiz given last fall in a required class called Ships and Maritime Systems.

Academy spokesman David Santos said 44 cadets were initially implicated. Four were found innocent, three were recommended for disenrollment and 37 were disciplined. Most of the 37 were placed on academic probation and others received failing grades and must repeat the class.

The 37 students also will be required to complete what Santos called a lengthy and rigorous honor remediation program involving journaling, reflection and discussions with officer mentors.

A panel at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington will decide whether to expel the three students, who can appeal the decision.

Officials did not release the cadets' names.

"We are greatly disappointed in the behavior of the cadets implicated in this investigation and the poor decisions they made," academy officials said in a statement. "Our cadets are taught from the day they arrive that violations of the honor concept will not be tolerated and that their choices have consequences."