Thirty‑one colleges voted to end partnerships with the PhD Project after pressure tied to recent federal and state efforts targeting race‑based programming on campuses. The resolutions reflect a broader backlash against diversity initiatives following legal actions and guidance that have left institutions uncertain about permissible DEI work. At the same time, the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education named Emelyn dela Peña its new president and she told The Chronicle that diversity officers must be explicit about goals and legal boundaries. Dela Peña emphasized that DEI work should be framed as antidiscrimination and student success, and that officers need timely legal guidance as federal scrutiny continues. The twin developments highlight a volatile operating environment for campus equity efforts: trustee votes and administrative decisions are separating program partnerships, while professional associations seek to steady practitioners navigating shifting legal risks.