A federal judge has ruled in favour of the United States Naval Academy’s practice of considering race in admissions applications, stating that a diverse military is in the national interest. This decision comes after the anti-affirmative action group Students for Fair Admissions challenged the practice, with a similar case against Harvard University previously being successful in the US Supreme Court in 2023.
While opponents of affirmative action argue that considering race in admissions is unfair, proponents believe it is necessary to counteract the historical segregation and exclusion faced by racial minorities. The defence of the US Naval Academy argued during a recent trial that a diverse military is more effective and respected, and the consideration of race only plays a small role in admissions decisions.
In response to the ruling, the president of Students for Fair Admissions expressed disappointment and stated the organization’s intention to take the case to the Supreme Court. The ruling, while upholding the Academy’s practice, has the potential to create further debate on the use of race in university admissions, especially in relation to national security considerations.
Overall, the decision highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding affirmative action and race in admissions decisions, with the possibility of the Supreme Court ultimately impacting the policies of military academies in the future.
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US judge upholds Naval Academy’s use of race in admissions process | Courts News
