I wouldn't say that's the correct conclusion. Techies and academics tend to be weak at understanding optics and cultural/racial issues. supposedly claiming "data is king". Academic probation is a negative term, automatic dumping people into that bucket is the most head slapping PR decision. 20 years ago there were equal opportunity programs at colleges which basically used income level and minority as a filter to quality applicants for additional college aid, work employment, and mentoring all without statistical modelling. The correct takeaway in your advisors case is to bring findings to a holistic cross discipline cross culture committee to examine the root cause such as minorities coming from underfunded school districts that poorly prepared people for college. Descions done in secret and especially without racial representative input continues blindness.