What did the judge conclude in United States v. Virginia?
The judge concluded that coeducation would prevent both men and women from undergoing the “VMI experience.” The presence of women would “distract male students from their studies,” while tending to “impair the esprit de corps and egalitarian atmosphere.” The barracks would have to be modified to provide privacy, and the physical education requirements would have to be altered for women. If women were admitted, VMI would eventually drop the adversative model. Therefore, the judge ruled that VMI was “fully justified” in prohibiting women. The same-sex admission policy promoted diversity of educational opportunities because out of 15 state-funded colleges and universities in Virginia, VMI alone had this policy. This diversity was a legitimate state objective that rebutted the claim of unequal protection of the law.
