In response ...
First I want to emphasize I was and am speculating - I have no first hand information other than the publicly stated desire in 2009 to increase the standards both academically and otherwise a pretty universally supported effort.
What I pointed out was that in 2008 and 2009 the entering Classes of 2012 and 2013, at ~300 plebe candidates, were larger by a not insignificant measure than the recent prior classes. Further, it was stated, by the then incoming but now departed Superintendent, that the grounds for offering setbacks would be more carefully reviewed than in the past and the possible result could be fewer mids would get setbacks, especially multiple setbacks. BTW, data supported multiple setbacks were not a very good investment on the Government's part unless there were some very solid extenuating circumstances. At least there was data that was pointed to that supported the position.
So given those statements and circumstances I speculated that it was possible that today, as in 1977, 1978 and 1979 it was possible that the resignation rate during the first trimester today, as it was during the first two quarters of those years, was insufficient to reduce the number of midshipmen in the regiment to the planned and budgeted levels.
That is not to say or even imply that any professor or the faculty in general has been given any quotas nor would they be. However certain things were done back then that one could easily see being done now both both in terms of directives from the Commandant to the COs and from the Dean to the faculty. These things would in ensuring the standards got raised and such efforts had teeth likely result in more Plebes failing out. For example "back in the day" after our first academic quarter, the Dean issued a directive that NO midterms or final exams could contain questions that were identical to prior mid-term or final exams given by a Professor. Those familiar with the extensive "pony libraries and archives" at KP could see why that might be done. Further there were rumors that the only grade scales had to be uncurved or a normally distributed bell curve- this was never substantiated but it was rumored to be why one particular academic section of ~25 had 10+ students fail Physics 2. I never believed the urban legend about rules on curves but I do remember feeling that my plebe year after first quarter, ponies were little more than mediocre study aids, and I don't recall any "hitting" following the end of first quarter until we returned from our first sea year as B splits in January.
On the regimental front we saw more restrictions and more demerits given out by Battalion (we had Battalion Officers back then like the current regiment has Company officers) Officers, etc. We also saw more stringent, clearer objective grading scales applied to papers, etc. and we suspected there were requirements and guidelines pushed in that regard as well. All of these things had the effect of ensuring that at the end of the day the Classes of 1981, 1982 and 1983 had washout rates of about 20%, which though lower than many other graduating classes , was to at least some degree, in spite of the fact that they had entering classes of ~310 students and average standardized test scores, class ranks, etc. generally felt to be 15 - 25% higher than was the norm in those times. The other fact is that greater numbers of involuntary resignations for academics occurred in the second and third quarters (we used to have 10 week academic quarters) of our plebe years than occurred during the first or fourth quarters. In other words things didn't get easier until after recognition on any front for us.
One might ask how and why after 30 years I'd remember such details. I'd respond that's because of two things - a) I have a pretty good memory and b) intense stress has a way of etching certain things into ones brain so they stay there for long periods of time.
As far as administration desires what I am talking about/referring to here is the basic administration desire to make sure that every upper class midshipman returning from sea have a bed to sleep in. Nothing more or less. Finally to state it directly no I would not think anyone in the Academic Departments have been given anything that even smells like a quota.
I for one would rather play it safe and have MMA eligible for the benefits of "tutor.com. Oh, and I guess The Coast Guard Academy didn't make the eligability list either!