Citadel’s Plans on Women Criticized

The Citadel’s plan to kick out pregnant cadets is illegal, and putting latches only on women’s barracks is discriminatory, lawyers who fought to get women into the state military school said. The Justice Department joined the women’s lawyers in responding to the school’s 21-page plan for dealing with female cadets, an outline covering everything from what kind of lipstick they may wear to whom they may date. At least three women plan to attend The Citadel Aug. 24, and a federal court hearing was set for Monday to iron out the details of how the women will be treated. Among the most contentious issues is The Citadel’s plan to keep pregnant women out and dismiss those who became pregnant while in school. Val Vojdik, one of the lawyers who has led the fight for women at The Citadel, said that is a violation of female cadets’ civil rights.