A proposed General Services Administration rule would require every federal funding recipient to certify it has eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion programs the administration deems discriminatory. The proposal covers colleges and universities and would tie federal contracting and grants to compliance with new ideological restrictions. The move follows a federal appeals court decision that allowed two of the president’s anti‑DEI executive orders to stand, narrowing immediate courtroom relief for higher‑education defenders of DEI programming. Legal experts warn the twin tracks — regulatory mandate from GSA and judicial backing for executive orders — create a fast‑evolving compliance landscape for institutions that receive federal funds. Campus leaders and higher‑education lawyers say the rule could force rapid policy rewrites, complicate faculty training and student services, and expose grantees to funding risks. Institutions should inventory DEI‑related activities tied to federal grants and prepare legal and policy justifications ahead of any certification deadlines.