MADISON, Wis. — Jay Rothman, who leads Wisconsin’s state university system, faces potential termination during a private Board of Regents meeting scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. EDT.
Board members called the closed session to vote on dismissing Rothman, who has overseen the state’s four-year universities for slightly over four years. Officials have not publicly explained their rationale for potentially removing him from his leadership role.
The termination vote comes just five days after The Associated Press revealed that regents had given Rothman an ultimatum to step down voluntarily or face dismissal. In response letters to board members, Rothman stated he would not resign without understanding what prompted their loss of confidence.
Board President Amy Bogost released a statement Monday indicating regents had completed a performance evaluation and provided Rothman with “direct conversations and clear feedback regarding leadership expectations.” She emphasized the system requires “a clear vision” but declined to detail the review’s specific conclusions.
The lack of public information has angered Republican lawmakers who oversee the university system’s budget allocation.
“This lack of transparency is unacceptable,” said GOP state Rep. David Murphy, chair of the Assembly’s colleges and universities committee. “President Rothman deserves to know exactly why the Board has lost confidence in his leadership.”
Rothman took charge of the 165,000-student, multi-campus system in January 2022. The former chair and CEO of Milwaukee-based Foley & Lardner law firm had no previous background in higher education administration.
During his leadership, he has worked to secure additional state funding from Republican legislators amid federal budget reductions, addressed free speech concerns related to pro-Palestinian demonstrations, and managed declining student numbers that resulted in eight satellite campus closures. Despite these challenges, total system enrollment has remained relatively stable during his tenure.
His position requires balancing relationships between a Republican-dominated Legislature and a Board of Regents where most members were selected by Democratic Governor Tony Evers.
In 2023, Rothman negotiated an agreement with Assembly Republican Speaker Robin Vos that included halting diversity-focused hiring and establishing a conservative studies position at UW-Madison. In return, Vos agreed to release funding for employee salary increases and construction projects worth tens of millions across the system.
Initially, regents voted down the proposal before reversing course and approving it days later. Governor Evers expressed disappointment and frustration with the final agreement.
When asked Monday about efforts to remove Rothman, Evers remained neutral, stating “It’s their call” regarding the board’s decision.
The controversy over Rothman’s position coincides with upcoming leadership changes at the system’s flagship Madison campus. Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin will depart in May following the current academic year to assume the presidency of Columbia University.
Rothman receives an annual salary of $600,943 as university president. According to Wisconsin employment attorney Tamara Packard, who examined Rothman’s contract for the Associated Press, he can be terminated without cause and has no right to appeal the decision.
His contract requires six months’ advance notice for termination. Packard noted that typically, dismissed executives are asked to focus on transitional responsibilities rather than continuing regular office duties during this period.
