Colleges nationwide reported scrambling to meet a sudden federal reporting mandate while a separate survey shows presidents increasingly view federal policy as a direct threat to institutional autonomy. Institutional research offices — often single‑person shops at small campuses — have been pressed to extract seven years of admissions data by a tightened March deadline, and leaders say that federal pressure is driving planning and staffing choices. The Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) requires colleges to submit detailed admissions data broken down by race, sex, test scores and family income, forcing many institutions to repurpose staff and systems on short notice. An American Council on Education Pulse Point survey of nearly 400 senior leaders found 70 percent concerned about government interference in academic freedom and institutional autonomy, and many presidents reported budget adjustments, hiring freezes and program cuts. University leaders describe an environment where compliance demands and political scrutiny are reshaping operational priorities — from admissions offices to long‑range strategic planning.