Since Matt could apparently not explain adequately the VMI ruling, and
since as I read the K12_NEWS conference, this little gem appeared in the
Daily Report Card from July 3, 1996, I thought I would share it:
GP>          =====  FROM COURTHOUSE TO SCHOOLHOUSE  =====
GP>*8   ALL MALE VMI?:  NO WAY, SAYS SUPREME COURT
GP>     The U.S. Supreme Court last week ruled in a 7-1 decision
GP>that it is unconstitutional for the Virginia Military Academy to
GP>continue operating as an all-male school.  The decision ends the
GP>school's 157 all-male tradition.  It also has an impact on S.C.'s
GP>The Citadel, another public, all-male military academy.
GP>     Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote for the court:  "We
GP>conclude that Virginia has shown no 'exceedingly persuasive
GP>justification' for excluding all women from the citizen-soldier
GP>training afforded by [Virginia Military Institute]. ... However
GP>liberally this plan serves the state's sons, it makes no
GP>provision whatever for her daughters.  That is not equal
GP>protection."  The legal criteria noted by Ginsburg is less
GP>stringent than the test required when governments handle racial
GP>matters, reports the WASH TIMES (Murray, 6/27).
GP>     VMI's board of visitors will decide by 11 July how it wants
GP>to proceed.  Options include becoming a private school in order
GP>to maintain an all-male enrollment.  However, major hurdles could
GP>mar VMI's attempt at privatization, according to the TIMES.  The
GP>school would need to raise a $150M endowment to make up for the
GP>$10.3M it receives each year from the state.  School officials
GP>also would have to "find a way to obtain the state-owned, 134-
GP>acre campus in Lexington and dozens of campus buildings worth
GP>millions of dollars," writes the paper.
GP>     "VMI ran into the modern day Goliath on the principle of
GP>equality," observed David Marion, a political science professor
GP>at all-male Hampden-Sydney college.
GP>     Justice Antonin Scalia was the lone dissenter in the case.
GP>"I do not think any of us, women included, will be better off for
GP>[VMI's] destruction," wrote Scalia.
GP>     Justice Clarence Thomas abstained from the case.  His son is
GP>a VMI cadet, reports the paper.
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