MADISON, Wis. — A Republican state legislator is condemning what he calls a secretive attempt by the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents to remove the system’s president without providing any justification for their actions.
Jay Rothman, who has led the 165,000-student university system since 2022, revealed in correspondence first obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday that regents were pressuring him to step down or face termination without giving reasons. These letters marked the first public disclosure that Rothman’s position was at risk and caught university officials and state leaders off guard.
Board members contacted by the AP have refused to provide statements.
“This lack of transparency is unacceptable,” Wisconsin Assembly colleges and universities committee chair David Murphy, a Republican, declared in a Friday statement. “President Rothman deserves to know exactly why the Board has lost confidence in his leadership.”
During his time in office, Rothman has worked to secure additional state funding while facing federal budget cuts, handled campus free speech issues during pro-Palestinian demonstrations, and dealt with dropping student numbers that resulted in closing eight satellite campuses.
Murphy, who has frequently criticized the university in the past, commended Rothman’s performance, stating “he has made tough decisions to sustain our campuses and protect educational access for Wisconsin students.”
“I am concerned that the push to oust him may actually stem from his strong support for free speech and open inquiry on our campuses—core principles that must be defended in higher education,” Murphy added.
The legislator demanded the regents provide a “full explanation” for their desire to remove Rothman or “stand down from this effort.”
Throughout his leadership, Rothman has managed relationships with a Republican-dominated Legislature while working under a regent board where most members were chosen by Democratic Governor Tony Evers. The board had an Evers-appointed majority when they selected Rothman for the position.
Governor Evers’ spokesperson Britt Cudaback did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday or Friday.
Since Evers will not run for a third term, a new governor will take office next year with authority to select regent board members. This board holds responsibility for hiring and dismissing university administrators.
Rothman previously considered stepping down in 2023 after regents initially rejected an agreement he had negotiated with Republican legislators regarding diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The board subsequently changed course and approved the arrangement.
This dispute over Rothman’s leadership coincides with upcoming changes at the system’s main Madison campus. Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin will depart when the current academic year ends in May to assume the presidency at Columbia University.
Before taking the UW role, Rothman served as chair and CEO of Milwaukee-based Foley & Lardner law firm and had no background in higher education administration.
Rothman currently receives an annual salary of $600,943 as UW president.
