University of Wisconsin President Refuses to Resign After Being Told to Step Down

Jay Rothman says he's been given no reason for the Board of Regents' lack of confidence in his leadership.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:34pm

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The president of the 25-campus University of Wisconsin system, Jay Rothman, has refused to resign after being told by the Board of Regents to either step down or be fired. Rothman, who has served as UW president since 2022, said in a letter that he has not been provided any substantive reasons for the board's apparent lack of confidence in his leadership.

Why it matters

Rothman's refusal to resign sets up a potential showdown with the UW Board of Regents, which is responsible for overseeing the state's public university system. The situation raises questions about the leadership and governance of the UW system, particularly as it faces challenges like declining enrollment and the need to replace the chancellor of its flagship Madison campus.

The details

In the letter addressed to Board of Regents President Amy Bogost, Rothman said he was told his options were to resign or retire, and that if he didn't, the board 'was prepared to terminate my employment despite all that has been accomplished.' Rothman noted that he has 'devoted his heart and soul to the mission of the Universities of Wisconsin' and was surprised when informed that an unidentified majority of the board had lost confidence in his leadership. The board held a closed emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss personnel matters, but did not provide any specific reasons for its apparent lack of confidence in Rothman.

  • Rothman has served as UW president since 2022.
  • The Board of Regents held a closed emergency meeting on Wednesday, March 26, 2026 to discuss Rothman's future.

The players

Jay Rothman

The president of the 25-campus University of Wisconsin system since 2022, who has refused to resign despite being told to do so by the Board of Regents.

Amy Bogost

The president of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, who informed Rothman that an unidentified majority of the board had lost confidence in his leadership.

Jennifer Mnookin

The chancellor of the University of Wisconsin's flagship Madison campus, who is leaving to become president of Columbia University.

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What they’re saying

“Since to date you have not provided any substantive reason or reasons for the Board's finding of no confidence in my leadership, I am not prepared, as a matter of principle, to submit my resignation.”

— Jay Rothman, President, University of Wisconsin

“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.”

— Amy Bogost, President, University of Wisconsin Board of Regents

What’s next

The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents will need to decide whether to terminate Rothman's employment or reach an agreement with him to step down. The situation will also likely require the board to find a new president to lead the 25-campus system.

The takeaway

The standoff between Rothman and the UW Board of Regents highlights the complex dynamics of university governance, where leaders can face pressure to resign even without clear explanations. The outcome of this situation will have significant implications for the future direction and leadership of the University of Wisconsin system.