Accrediting bodies are preparing for broad regulatory change after the Trump administration signaled plans to rewrite how accreditors are recognized and what they may require of colleges. At the CHEA conference officials from the American Council on Education and accrediting organizations warned that new Education Department rules and White House directives will push accreditors to emphasize student outcomes and curtail certain DEI standards. Speakers at the meeting, including Jon Fansmith of the American Council on Education, said the administration is shifting from institution‑by‑institution enforcement to a systemwide approach that could speed the entry of new accreditors and limit what accreditors can demand from colleges. That would alter the mechanics of federal oversight and the gatekeeping function that links accreditation to access to federal student aid. Colleges should expect shorter timelines for recognition petitions, clearer outcome metrics and new documentation requirements. Institutions that are already evaluating a change of accreditor or seeking programmatic recognition will face heightened regulatory scrutiny and potentially faster federal review cycles.