Asian students singled out in US university

"There is something else going on here, something that needs to be explained before we go forward with this because it doesn't look right," attorney Robert Ekstrand told the Raleigh News and Observer newspaper.

"This is a class that involves 410, and selected for the investigation and prosecution and permanent separation from the university are all students who are from Asian countries."

Of the 34 masters of business administration students found guilty of cheating on a take-home exam, 15 were suspended for one year, nine were expelled and the rest received failing grades, the report said.

Ekstrand, who said those primarily involved had been in the country less than one year and were unfamiliar with legal procedures, is representing 16 students on appeal. If unsuccessful, they could lose their student visas.

They were questioned after "striking similarities" emerged in their responses on a take-home exam on the topic "Decision Models."

The dean of the Fuqua School of Business, Doug Breeden, said earlier this month that the case involved both domestic and international students from four continents.

Duke officials declined further comment pending the appeals.