The ruling could spark a new battle over racial considerations in college admissions before the U.S. Supreme Court.
A federal judge has rejected a challenge to the U.S. Naval Academy's practice of considering race in admissions applications, ruling that a diverse military is in the national interest.
In a ruling Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Bennett of Maryland ruled against Students for Fair Admissions, an anti-affirmative action group that has frequently turned to the courts to challenge the use of race in university admissions.
“Specifically, the Academy has linked its use of race to creating an officer corps that represents the country it protects and the people it leads,” Bennett wrote. “The Academy has proven that this national security interest is indeed measurable and that its admissions program is closely tailored to this interest. »
Students for Fair Admissions also filed a lawsuit challenging similar practices at Harvard University. The U.S. Supreme Court ultimately struck down consideration of race in college admissions when it ruled spoke out in favor of the group in June 2023.
But this decision, although largely favorable to the opponents of positive actionsuggested that the issue of race and admissions could be influenced by national security considerations, opening the possibility of an exemption for military academies.
While opponents of affirmative action argue that such practices unfairly favor certain groups over others, proponents emphasize that race is only one factor in admissions decisions.
They also argue that affirmative action efforts help counter the cumulative impact of segregation and exclusion faced by racial minorities throughout much of U.S. history.
During a two-week trial in September, lawyers for the U.S. Naval Academy defended consideration of race in admissions by arguing that a diverse military is stronger, more effective and more respected.
Bennett, appointed by former President George W. Bush, wrote that defense had “established a compelling national security interest in a diverse officer corps” and that consideration of race played only a small role in admission decisions.
In a statement expressing disappointment with the decision, Students for Fair Admissions President Edward Blum said the organization hoped to take the matter to court. Supreme Court.
“We hope that the U.S. military academies will ultimately be forced to comply with the Supreme Court's ban on race in college admissions,” he said.
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