Wisconsin Regents Weigh Firing University System President

Closed-door meeting scheduled to consider terminating Jay Rothman's contract after performance review

Apr. 7, 2026 at 5:51pm

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A serene, nostalgic painting of a university administration building in warm, golden light, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and unease about the institution's future.The closed-door meeting of Wisconsin university system regents to consider firing the president reflects the political tensions surrounding public higher education.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, though they have cited a performance review with 'direct conversations and clear feedback regarding leadership expectations'.

Why it matters

The move to oust Rothman comes amid broader tensions between the university system and the Republican-controlled state legislature over issues like free speech, diversity initiatives, and funding. The secrecy around the regents' decision-making process has drawn criticism from lawmakers who control the system's budget.

The details

The Board of Regents announced it would meet on Tuesday evening to vote on terminating Rothman's contract. Rothman has said he was not given a specific reason for the potential firing and that his recent performance review was described as 'overwhelmingly positive.' The regents have cited the need for 'a clear vision' for the 165,000-student university system, which has faced declining enrollment and the closure of several branch campuses under Rothman's leadership.

  • The regents announced the closed-door 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 current president of the University of Wisconsin System, who has served in the role since January 2022. Rothman previously worked as the chair and CEO of the Milwaukee-based Foley & Lardner law firm, with no prior experience in higher education administration.

Amy Bogost

The president of the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents, who has stated the board has shared performance review results with Rothman and has 'direct conversations and clear feedback regarding leadership expectations'.

David Murphy

The Republican chair of the Wisconsin Assembly's colleges and universities committee, who has criticized the lack of transparency around the regents' potential decision to fire Rothman.

Tony Evers

The Democratic governor of Wisconsin, who appoints members to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents.

Robin Vos

The Republican speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly, who brokered a controversial deal with Rothman in 2023 regarding diversity hiring and conservative thought at UW-Madison.

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What they’re saying

“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

“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, President, University of Wisconsin System

What’s next

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

The takeaway

The potential ouster of UW System President Jay Rothman highlights the ongoing tensions between the university system and the Republican-controlled state government over issues like free speech, diversity initiatives, and funding. The lack of transparency around the regents' decision-making process has drawn criticism and raised concerns about the future direction of Wisconsin's public higher education system.