MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin system is poised to meet in secrecy this Tuesday evening, considering the potential termination of President Jay Rothman. The urgency of the vote arises from a recent performance review that raised concerns about Rothman's leadership, although specifics have not been publicly disclosed.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. EDT, just days after it was reported that Rothman was asked to either resign or face termination. He has since expressed his unwillingness to leave unless he understands the reasons behind the board's decision.
Regent President Amy Bogost stated that the board had conveyed its feedback regarding expectations for Rothman's role, insisting on the need for a 'clear vision' for the system's future. However, the lack of detailed explanations has provoked backlash from Republican lawmakers who oversee the state's budget and legislative matters.
“This lack of transparency is unacceptable,” stated GOP state Rep. David Murphy of the Assembly's colleges and universities committee. He emphasized Rothman's right to understand the board's loss of confidence in his leadership.
Assuming control of the 165,000-student system in January 2022, Rothman arrived from a background in law with no previous experience in educational administration. His presidency has entailed pushing for greater state funding amid federal cuts, managing campus protests, and addressing the ongoing decrease in student enrollment that led to the closure of eight branch campuses.
Additionally, Rothman negotiated a controversial agreement to secure additional funding for the system, which included a freeze on diversity hiring and the establishment of a new position at UW-Madison focused on conservative perspectives. This negotiation faced pushback but was ultimately approved after initial resistance.
As discussions about Rothman's future unfold, concerns amplify across the campus amid the impending departure of the UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, who will be stepping down to become president of Columbia University in May.
Rothman currently earns an annual salary of $600,943, and his contract permits termination without stated reasons. Employment attorney Tamara Packard noted that he is entitled to a six-month notification before any termination is executed.
