University diversity officers report spikes in stress and shifting duties as federal scrutiny and anti‑DEI policy rhetoric intensify. A national survey of campus DEI leaders found 87% view their work as more stressful and 68% say their roles have become less predictable; many offices have had budgets frozen or restructured amid political pressure. Meanwhile, analysis of admission patterns warns that bans on considering gender and other personal characteristics in recruitment and hiring could have unintended distributional effects. Admissions experts say policies targeting DEI could remove mechanisms colleges used to balance gender representation—potentially reducing the prior admissions advantage enjoyed by men at selective institutions. Campus leaders must weigh legal compliance against student‑body composition goals. Provosts, general counsels and enrollment officers will need coordinated strategies for outreach, legal risk assessment and transparent communication with trustees and regulators.