Official statements from the Naval Academy or Department of Defense

Maryland Judge Upholds Race-Conscious Admissions at Annapolis Naval Academy for National Security

Dec 6, 2024, 05:18 PM

A federal judge in Maryland has ruled that the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis may continue to consider race in its admissions process, upholding the institution's race-conscious admissions policies. This decision comes despite a Supreme Court ruling last year that barred civilian colleges from employing similar affirmative action policies. The lawsuit challenging the Naval Academy's practices was brought by Students for Fair Admissions, the same group that successfully overturned affirmative action in college admissions. The judge's decision emphasized that achieving diversity in the Naval Academy's student body is a matter of national security, suggesting that a diverse military is stronger. The ruling has sparked discussions on the potential implications for other military academies and the ongoing debate over affirmative action in education.