An introduction to Constitutional Law 100 Supreme Court cases everyone should know

The Virginia Military Institute

The Rehnquist Court (1994-2005). Seated, from left to right: Antonin Scalia and John Paul Stevens, Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, and Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Anthony M. Kennedy. Standing, from left to right: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, David H. Souter, Clarence Thomas, and Stephen G. Breyer.

Through the so-called “adversative method,” VMI instilled physical and mental discipline in its student body.

The Virginia Military Institute

Since its founding, VMI only admitted male students.

U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that VMI’s admissions policy violated the 14th Amendment, but suggested that the University could cure that problem by establishing a parallel program for women.

Virginia opened the Women’s Institution for Leadership (VWIL), at Mary Baldwin College, a private women’s college.

Virginia opened the Women’s Institution for Leadership (VWIL), at Mary Baldwin College, a private women’s college.

The first class of female cadets at VMI.

Although Justices Scalia and Ginsburg often found themselves on the opposite side of cases, they remained close friends during their entire time together on the Court. Here, they found themselves on the same side of an elephant during a trip to India.

The Virginia Military Institute (VMI) is a public college in Virginia. VMI’s stated mission was to produce “citizen soldiers.” Through the so-called “adversative method,” VMI instilled physical and mental discipline in its student body. The students lived in “spartan barracks,” wore uniforms, ate together, and had no privacy. Since its founding, VMI had admitted only male students.

The United States filed suit against VMI on behalf of female students who could not apply to the college. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that VMI’s admissions policy violated the Fourteenth Amendment. However, the court suggested that the college could cure that constitutional problem by establishing a parallel program for women. As a result, Virginia opened the Women’s Institute for Leadership (VWIL) at Mary Baldwin College, a private women’s college. That accommodation, however, did not end the litigation. VMI and VWIL offered different programs for men and women.

The United States appealed the case to the Supreme Court.