The Western Association of Schools and Colleges’ Senior College and University Commission formally adopted revised accreditation standards that remove explicit references to diversity, equity and inclusion. The commission moved after a standards review and public comment period; the updated language replaces prior DEI wording with broader references to "educational excellence and success for all students." The change follows federal pressure after an executive order and comes as other accreditors and professional bodies weigh or implement similar revisions. Accreditation officials say the updates take effect immediately and apply to evaluation and reporting processes; critics warn the move narrows institutional obligations and could affect equity-related investments and reporting practices. Colleges subject to the Western accreditor now face a compliance environment that emphasizes traditional measures of institutional quality while removing an explicit commitment to DEI from required standards—a shift likely to influence campus policy, reporting and strategic planning in the region.