Othot's Response to the US Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action
Overview
In June 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled to end the use of affirmative action in college admissions, declaring race and ethnicity cannot be factored into the decision-making process. To help our users remain compliant with this ruling, Othot will remove ethnicity variables from all models predicting the likelihood of enrollment.
Where is the change occurring?
While this modification removes race and ethnicity variables from all enrollment prediction models, these variables will continue to be available in any student success models (i.e., models that predict retention, graduation, etc.). Additionally, they will remain accessible for filtering and dashboard creation.
When will this change occur?
The variables will be removed during the model rollover process, which typically occurs in the fall, shortly after an institution’s census day.
What changes do I need to make?
You do not need to make any changes, and you do not need to exclude these variables from the data feeds you routinely submit to us. However, we understand that you might be refining your admissions process workflows. Therefore, if you wish to discontinue sharing race and ethnicity data with us, we can modify the platform to remove this data. Rest assured, we remain committed to delivering valuable insights to support informed decision-making and drive positive outcomes.
Are there any impacts I should be aware of?
Based on initial testing, there are no major impacts expected as a result of this modification. However, any substantial changes will be communicated to you when new models are implemented.
Need additional information?
If you have questions about these changes, contact your Client Success Director.