Congressional leaders questioned new restrictive policies at the U.S. Naval Academy, calling them needed for wartime preparation but possibly detrimental to the surrounding community.
“The Naval Academy can have a ripple effect that leads to a tsunami in the Annapolis community,” said U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., during Monday?s Board of Visitors meeting on Capitol Hill.
Under the new leadership of Vice Adm. Jeffrey Fowler, the academy instituted a mandatory study hall for all midshipmen, essentially barring them from leaving the campus on weeknights.
Third- and fourth-class midshipmen ? freshmen and sophomores ? have study hall on Friday nights as well.
The academy also has reduced extracurricular activities to cram in more training and studying, and midshipmen must eat all weekday meals at the mess hall with their classmates.
The new policies play into Fowler?s belief that more time is needed to prepare the future Naval officers to lead a country at war.
“I inherited a great institution, and if you don?t constantly improve, you?ll fall behind,” Fowler said
But Mikulski said the lack of liberty, while helpful for the military, has had a negative affect on Annapolis? business district.
“What does this mean to the Burger King on Main Street?” she asked. “My recommendation is that you meet with the community … because there is a lot of misinformation and exaggerated responses.”
Fowler said he met with state, county and Annapolis officials, though Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer was in Europe during the policy change.
Midshipmen still can leave the campus Saturday and return Sunday by dinner time.
But Fowler said he encourages midshipmen to use that time for extracurricular activities and volunteering. Klein said special exceptions can be made.
“Where do you draw the line and get balance” between course work and extracurricular activities, asked U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Baltimore.
Others were less critical.
“I believe you?re heading in the right direction,” said Mark Treanor, legal counsel for Wachovia Bank and an academy alum.
