Universities of Wisconsin president defies board’s demand to resign or be fired
The president of the 25-campus University of Wisconsin system, Jay Rothman, is embroiled in a high-stakes standoff with the Board of Regents, claiming he has been ordered to resign or face termination without any stated reason. Rothman, who has led the 165,000-student system since 2022, has firmly refused to step aside, citing a matter of principle.
In a letter addressed to Board President Amy Bogost dated March 26, Rothman detailed the ultimatum, stating he was told his options were to resign or retire, and that if he declined, the board “was prepared to terminate my employment despite all that has been accomplished.”
He emphasized that 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 convened a closed emergency meeting on Wednesday night to discuss personnel matters, though details remain scarce.
Amy Bogost, the board president, issued a statement to The Associated Press, saying, “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.”
Rothman, when contacted via email on Thursday, declined further comment, stating, “I believe my letter speaks for itself.”
Rothman reiterated his refusal to resign in a second letter sent to two other regents on Wednesday.
He stated that these regents had urged him to step down during a Tuesday meeting, 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,” Rothman wrote, adding that his request for an opportunity to discuss the situation with the full board was denied.
Rothman’s tenure has been marked by significant challenges and initiatives. He has focused on increasing state funding amidst federal cuts, navigated complex debates over free speech on campus, particularly during pro-Palestinian protests, and addressed declining enrollment, which led to the closure of eight branch campuses.
A notable moment occurred in 2023 when the Board of Regents initially rejected a deal with the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, a decision that was later reversed.
In his March letter, Rothman also highlighted upcoming leadership changes, including the need to replace the chancellor of the flagship Madison campus, Jennifer Mnookin, who is departing 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.”
Before assuming the presidency in 2022, Rothman served as the chair and CEO of the Milwaukee-based Foley & Lardner law firm, notably without prior experience in higher education administration.
Source: independent.co.uk
