The president of the Universities of Wisconsin system, Jay Rothman, has refused to resign after being told by the Board of Regents to step down or face termination, with no reason given for the demand. In a letter to board president Amy Bogost dated 26 March, Rothman stated he was given an ultimatum to resign or retire, and that if he declined, the board “was prepared to terminate my employment despite all that has been accomplished.”
Rothman, who has led the 165,000-student system since 2022, said he had not been “provided any substantive reason or reasons for the Board’s finding of no confidence in my leadership.” The Board of Regents held a closed emergency meeting on Wednesday night to discuss personnel matters, but details have not been released. Bogost told the Associated Press: “The Board is responsible for the leadership of the Universities of Wisconsin and is having discussions about its future. We don’t comment on personnel matters.”
In a second letter sent to two other regents on Wednesday, Rothman said they had urged him to step down during a meeting on Tuesday, warning that if he did not, the board was prepared to meet over the weekend to fire him. He noted that these regents also failed to provide a reason for their demand. “I find this process to be nearly (if not completely) indefensible,” he wrote, adding that his request to discuss the situation with the full board was denied.
Rothman’s tenure has included efforts to increase state funding amid federal cuts, navigating debates over free speech on campus during pro-Palestinian protests, and addressing declining enrolment, which led to the closure of eight branch campuses. In 2023, the board initially rejected a deal with the Republican-controlled state legislature over diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, a decision later reversed. Rothman also highlighted upcoming leadership changes, including the need to replace the chancellor of the flagship Madison campus, Jennifer Mnookin, who is leaving to become president of Columbia University.
“I do not believe my resignation at this time is in the best interests of either the Universities of Wisconsin or the state of Wisconsin,” Rothman asserted. He expressed surprise at being told an “unidentified majority of the Board of Regents had lost confidence” in his leadership, especially after dedicating his “heart and soul to the mission.” He recounted asking for reasons, only to be told “each Regent has his or her own perspective on the matter,” without any “tangible reasons for the Board’s determination.”
