Statement from Minnesota Office Higher Education Commissioner Dennis Olson Following U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action

St. Paul, MN - Following today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn affirmative action in college admissions, Minnesota Office of Higher Education Commissioner Dennis Olson has released the following statement:

?Today?s ruling on Affirmative Action from the U.S. Supreme Court does not change Minnesota?s commitment to serving all students. We know representation matters. Inclusivity matters. Being the first generation in your family to go to college matters.

Our efforts in Minnesota to close attainment gaps for historically excluded populations will remain a focus for the Office of Higher Education. We will continue working toward our statewide attainment goal of having 70 percent of Minnesotans, age 25 to 44, obtain a postsecondary certificate or degree; and will not consider this goal met until it is achieved both overall and by every population.

Every person in Minnesota is college material. I will continue partnering with our colleges and universities to ensure higher education in Minnesota is inclusive and equitable.?

- Minnesota Office of Higher Education Commissioner Dennis Olson?

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