US judge upholds Naval Academy’s consideration of race in admissions process | Court Affairs

The decision could pit another battle over race considerations in university admissions before the US Supreme Court.

A federal judge has rejected a challenge to the United States Naval Academy’s practice of considering race in admissions applications, ruling that a diverse military is in the best interest of the country.

In Friday’s ruling, US District Court Judge Richard Bennett in Maryland ruled against Students for Fair Admissions, an opposition group that often turns to the courts to challenge the use of race in university admissions.

“Specifically, the Academy has tied its use of race to the realization of a police force that protects the country and the people it leads,” Bennett wrote. “The Academy has demonstrated that this national security interest is measurable and its admissions program is designed to serve that interest.”

Students for Fair Admissions also brought a lawsuit challenging similar practices at Harvard University. The US Supreme Court finally overturned race considerations in university admissions when it ruled in favor of the group in June 2023.

But that decision, while overwhelmingly favorable to opponents of affirmative action, suggested that the question of race and acceptance might be affected by national security considerations, opening up the possibility of exemptions from military facilities.

While opponents of affirmative action say such practices unfairly favor some groups over others, supporters point out that race is one factor among many in admissions decisions.

They also argue that affirmative action efforts help combat the growing effects of segregation and marginalization that racial minorities have faced throughout much of US history.

During a two-week hearing in September, attorneys for the US Naval Academy defended racial considerations from the admissions by asserting that diverse soldiers are strong, effective and respected.

Bennett, an appointee of former President George W Bush, wrote that the defense “established a compelling national security interest in a diverse police force” and that racial considerations played only a minor role in recruitment decisions.

In a statement expressing disappointment with this decision, the president of Students for Fair Admissions, Edward Blum, said the organization hopes to take the case to the Supreme Court.

“We hope that American military schools will eventually be forced to follow the Supreme Court’s ruling that prohibits racism in college,” he said.