In response to the Supreme Court’s June 29, 2023 decision prohibiting consideration of race in admissions decisions, the University has been working to understand the decision’s impact on graduate admissions and help programs and faculty members comply with the decision.
This summer, the Office of the Vice President for Legal Affairs and the Graduate School worked with representatives from graduate programs to review application materials and identify the individuals who will review applications and make admission decisions. Thank you for your help with this process and working with us to gather this information.
Here is an update on our progress and additional information about training sessions and office hours.
- Qualitative Assessments/Rubrics. VPLA continues to review available qualitative assessments, rubrics and application review guides for graduate programs across campus. If you have not already, please work with your college/school associate dean who oversees graduate education to ensure your materials are included.
- Live Training. As part of this effort, attorneys from the Office of the Vice President for Legal Affairs are conducting mandatory workshops for faculty and staff members involved in application decisions. The workshop consists of an explanation of the steps the University has taken to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court’s decision, a discussion of the Supreme Court’s reasoning and practical advice for file reviewers.
- These presentations are organized by CSU. Please be on the lookout for an email from the designated representative at each CSU for more information on workshops at your college or school.
- As a reminder, all reviewers must attend either a live training session or view the recorded training before reviewing any applications. For reviewers who cannot attend a live training session, a recorded training session is available on UTLearn: Review of Admissions 2023-2024.
- Office Hours. VPLA will resume weekly office hours starting on Friday, Oct. 14 through Nov. 17, from 3-5 p.m.:
ID: 939 4836 6836
Passcode: 028027
We appreciate your cooperation on this important initiative and thank you in advance for your time.
Sincerely,