HSA 2007 Government Item 43

Read the passage below. Then answer the following.

For over 150 years, the state of Virginia operated an all-male college called the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). In 1990, the United States government sued the state of Virginia at the request of a female high school student seeking admission to VMI. The Supreme Court ruled that VMI had to admit women who could meet the physical and other requirements.

Which of these statements best explains the reason for the decision in this case?

1. Public colleges cannot discriminate on the basis of gender.
2. Public colleges must have minimum standards for admission.
3. A military institution cannot discriminate based on physical ability.
4. State schools must admit a majority of the people who apply for admission.