Coeducation Research Guide

In June 1992 three female veterans commenced action against The Citadel, Johnson vs. Jones, seeking admittance to The Citadel’s day classes. The Citadel terminated the policy of admitting veterans to day classes in September of 1992, rendering the Johnson action moot.

In November of 1992, Shannon Richey Faulkner applied for admission to The Citadel’s Corps of Cadets. Her provisional acceptance was revoked in February 1993 after The Citadel learned of her gender. On March 2, 1993, Faulkner instituted an action claiming the The Citadel's failure to admit her to the Corps of Cadets violated her Equal Protection Rights guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment.

On August 12, 1993 the district court ordered The Citadel to admit Faulkner to day classes, but not to the Corps of Cadets. On January 18, 1994 Faulkner becomes the first woman to attend day classes.

The trial began on May 16, 1994, and concluded on May 27. On July 22, 1994 the court filed its Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order, stating that the all-male admissions policy of The Citadel violated the Equal Protection Rights of the plaintiff (Faulkner) and ordered her admission to the Corps of Cadets. Other qualified women would be admitted to the Corps or an alternative program in time for the 1995-1996 school year.

On April 13, 1995 the 4th Circuit ruled that Faulkner may join The Citadel’s Corps of Cadets unless an alternative was provided. On June 5, 1995, The Citadel filed South Carolina's Proposed Remedial Plan in which they proposed the South Carolina Institute of Leadership for Women (SCIL) at Converse College as a parallel program for women desiring to be admitted to The Citadel's Corps of Cadets.

Shannon Faulkner reported to The Citadel on August 12, 1995 to join the Corps of Cadets. On August 19, Faulkner left, saying that the legal battle left her too emotionally drained to remain at The Citadel.

The Citadel is proud to highlight news, events, and profiles of its female graduates on its women's history page. Further links are also provided here to learn about female impact within the Corps of Cadets. 

Visit the featured women page to learn more about female graduate of The Citadel's Corps of Cadets and Graduate College.

Visit the news about Citadel women page to learn about news and events relating to female graduates of The Citadel's Corps of Cadets.

Visit the timeline page to learn more about how women played many roles within The Citadel's history, from its inception to today.