UW System Regents Consider Firing President Rothman

Closed-door meeting scheduled to review Rothman's leadership amid lack of transparency

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:18pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of a quiet, empty university administration building at dusk, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows across the facade, conveying a sense of solemnity and uncertainty.The closed-door deliberations over the future of the UW System's leadership underscore the complex political dynamics facing public university presidents.Madison Today

The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents has scheduled a closed-door meeting to consider firing system president Jay Rothman, who has served in the role for just over four years. The regents have not provided a clear reason for the potential termination, drawing criticism from Republican lawmakers who control the system's funding.

Why it matters

The ouster of Rothman, who has navigated challenges like declining enrollment and free speech issues, would mark a significant leadership change for the 165,000-student university system. The secrecy around the regents' decision has raised concerns about transparency in higher education governance.

The details

The regents announced the meeting to consider firing Rothman just five days after first informing him they had lost confidence in his leadership. Rothman said the regents declined to cite a specific reason for the potential termination, despite telling him his recent performance review was 'overwhelmingly positive.' Republican state Rep. David Murphy criticized the 'lack of transparency' in the process, arguing Rothman deserves to know why the board has lost faith in his leadership.

  • The Board of Regents scheduled the meeting for 6 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 11, 2026.
  • Rothman has served as UW System president since January 2022.

The players

Jay Rothman

The president of the University of Wisconsin System, who is facing potential termination by the Board of Regents after serving in the role for just over four years.

Amy Bogost

The president of the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents, who stated the board has shared performance review results with Rothman and believes the system needs 'a clear vision.'

David Murphy

The Republican chair of the Wisconsin Assembly's colleges and universities committee, who criticized the 'lack of transparency' in the regents' process for considering Rothman's firing.

Tony Evers

The Democratic governor of Wisconsin, who appoints members to the UW System Board of Regents and said the decision to potentially fire Rothman 'is their call.'

Robin Vos

The Republican speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly, who brokered a controversial deal with Rothman in 2023 that called for freezing diversity hires and creating a position focused on conservative thought at UW-Madison.

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What they’re saying

“It is disappointing that the first I heard any sort of defense of their position was when they communicated with the media. I am left to conclude that, at best, this reflects an after-the-fact rationalization of a decision that was previously made.”

— Jay Rothman, UW System President

“This lack of transparency is unacceptable. President Rothman deserves to know exactly why the Board has lost confidence in his leadership.”

— David Murphy, Chair, Wisconsin Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee

What’s next

The Board of Regents is scheduled to vote on whether to fire Rothman during the closed-door meeting on Tuesday evening.

The takeaway

The potential ouster of UW System President Jay Rothman amid a lack of transparency from the Board of Regents has raised concerns about governance and leadership in the state's public university system, which is navigating challenges like declining enrollment and political tensions.