Rothman said he has been told that his options are to resign or retire, and that if he doesn\u2019t then the board \u201cwas prepared to terminate my employment despite all that has been accomplished.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Board of Regents held a closed emergency meeting on Wednesday night to discuss personnel matters. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Board is responsible for the leadership of the Universities of Wisconsin and is having discussions about its future,\u201d Amy Bogost, board president, said in a statement to AP. \u201cWe don\u2019t comment on personnel matters.\u201d <\/p>\n
Rothman declined to comment when reached via email on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe my letter speaks for itself,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In the letter addressed to Bogost, Rothman said he had not been \u201cprovided any substantive reason or reasons for the Board\u2019s finding of no confidence in my leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n
Because of that, Rothman said, \u201cI am not prepared, as a matter of principle, to submit my resignation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rothman also refused to resign in a second letter sent to two other regents on Wednesday after he said they urged him to step down during a Tuesday meeting. Rothman said the regents told him if he didn\u2019t resign, the board was prepared to meet this weekend to fire him.<\/p>\n
Rothman said those regents also could not give a reason for them wanting him to resign or be fired.<\/p>\n
\u201cI find this process to be nearly (if not completely) indefensible,\u201d Rothman wrote.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman speaks during a meeting of the UW Board of Regents on the campus of UW-Madison in Madison, Wis., on Dec. 7, 2023. At center right is Regent President Karen Walsh. (John Hart\/Wisconsin State Journal via AP, File)<\/p>\n University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman speaks during a meeting of the UW Board of Regents on the campus of UW-Madison in Madison, Wis., on Dec. 7, 2023. At center right is Regent President Karen Walsh. (John Hart\/Wisconsin State Journal via AP, File)<\/p>\n Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Rothman said he asked for an opportunity to discuss the situation with the board and was told that would not happen.<\/p>\n Rothman\u2019s tenure has been marked by his efforts to increase state funding amid federal cuts, debates over free speech on campus amid pro-Palestinian protests, and declining enrollment leading to eight branch campus closures.<\/p>\n Rothman raised the possibility of resigning in 2023 when the Board of Regents rejected a deal<\/a> reached with the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature over diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. The board later reversed its vote<\/a> and approved the deal.<\/p>\n![\"University](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775183172_396_.jpeg\")
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