Federal District Court Judge Richard Bennett has ruled that the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, can continue to use race as a consideration during its admissions processes. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June 2023 that public and private educational institutions that receive federal aid may not consider race in admissions decisions. That ruling has produced a sharp drop in first-year Black students at many of the nation’s most selective institutions.
Judge Bennett, appointed by GOP President George H.W. Bush, served for over 20 years in the U.S. Army Reserve and the Maryland National Guard. He stated in his opinion: “Specifically, the Academy has tied its use of race to the realization of an officer corps that represents the country it protects and the people it leads. The Academy has proven that this national security interest is indeed measurable and that its admissions program is narrowly tailored to meet that interest.”
Attorneys for the plaintiffs – Students for Fair Admissions – had made the point that prioritizing minority candidates is unfair to qualified White applicants and that cohesion among the ranks could be achieved through training and command structure, not by the use of race in admissions.
The U.S. Naval Academy enrolls about 4,450 students, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education. Blacks make up just 6 percent of the student body.
Students for Fair Admissions said it would appeal the decision. It has filed a similar suit against the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.
