Universities Of Wisconsin President Defies Board’s Demand To Resign Or Be Fired

The president of nan 25-campus University of Wisconsin system, Jay Rothman, is embroiled successful a high-stakes standoff pinch nan Board of Regents, claiming he has been ordered to resign aliases look termination without immoderate stated reason. Rothman, who has led nan 165,000-student strategy since 2022, has firmly refused to measurement aside, citing a matter of principle.

In a missive addressed to Board President Amy Bogost dated March 26, Rothman elaborate nan ultimatum, stating he was told his options were to resign aliases retire, and that if he declined, nan committee "was prepared to terminate my employment contempt each that has been accomplished."

He emphasized that he had not been "provided immoderate substantive logic aliases reasons for nan Board’s uncovering of nary assurance successful my leadership."

The Board of Regents convened a closed emergency gathering connected Wednesday nighttime to talk unit matters, though specifications stay scarce.

Amy Bogost, nan committee president, issued a connection to The Associated Press, saying, "The Board is responsible for nan activity of nan Universities of Wisconsin and is having discussions astir its future. We don’t remark connected unit matters."

Rothman, erstwhile contacted via email connected Thursday, declined further comment, stating, "I judge my missive speaks for itself."

Rothman reiterated his refusal to resign successful a 2nd missive sent to 2 different regents connected Wednesday.

He stated that these regents had urged him to measurement down during a Tuesday meeting, informing that if he did not, nan committee was prepared to meet complete nan play to occurrence him. He noted that these regents besides grounded to supply a logic for their demand.

"I find this process to beryllium astir (if not completely) indefensible," Rothman wrote, adding that his petition for an opportunity to talk nan business pinch nan afloat committee was denied.

Rothman’s tenure has been marked by important challenges and initiatives. He has focused connected expanding authorities backing amidst national cuts, navigated analyzable debates complete free reside connected campus, peculiarly during pro-Palestinian protests, and addressed declining enrollment, which led to nan closure of 8 branch campuses.

A notable infinitesimal occurred successful 2023 erstwhile nan Board of Regents initially rejected a woody pinch nan Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, a determination that was later reversed.

In his March letter, Rothman besides highlighted upcoming activity changes, including nan request to switch nan chancellor of nan flagship Madison campus, Jennifer Mnookin, who is departing to go president of Columbia University.

"I do not judge my resignation astatine this clip is successful nan champion interests of either nan Universities of Wisconsin aliases nan authorities of Wisconsin," Rothman asserted. He expressed astonishment astatine being told an "unidentified mostly of nan Board of Regents had mislaid confidence" successful his leadership, particularly aft dedicating his "heart and psyche to nan mission."

He recounted asking for reasons, only to beryllium told, "each Regent has his aliases her ain position connected nan matter," without immoderate "tangible reasons for nan Board’s determination."

Before assuming nan presidency successful 2022, Rothman served arsenic nan chair and CEO of nan Milwaukee-based Foley & Lardner rule firm, notably without anterior acquisition successful higher acquisition administration.