Trending Now - Wisconsin University President Stays Firm Amid Calls to Resign

WHO:

WPR - State Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie, accused regents appointed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers of attempting to push President Rothman out to install someone more aligned with their progressive agenda.

AP News - Jay Rothman, president of the University of Wisconsin system

AP News - Amy Bogost, president of the Board of Regents

AP News - Jennifer Mnookin, chancellor of the flagship Madison campus

WHAT:

AP News - Rothman stated that he has been told that his options are to resign or retire, and that if he doesn't then the board “was prepared to terminate my employment despite all that has been accomplished.”

AP News - Rothman also refused to resign in a second letter sent to two other regents on March 31st, 2026, after he said they urged him to step down during a meeting on March 30th, 2026.

AP News - Rothman noted in the March letter that “among so many other things,” the university will need to replace the chancellor of the flagship Madison campus in 2026. Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin is leaving to take the job as president of Columbia University.

AP News - Rothman stated that if he does not resign, the Board of Regents "was prepared to terminate my employment despite all that has been accomplished."

AP News - Rothman described the process regarding his potential resignation as "nearly (if not completely) indefensible."

AP News - Rothman's salary as UW president is $600,943.

WPR - Rothman stated in his letter that he is not prepared to submit his resignation as a matter of principle due to the lack of substantive reasons provided by the Board of Regents for their finding of no confidence in his leadership.

AP News - Jay Rothman has been informed that he must either resign or be fired.

AP News - Rothman stated that he has not been provided any substantive reason for the Board of Regents' finding of no confidence in his leadership.

AP News - Rothman has refused to resign and indicated that the Board was prepared to terminate his employment if he does not comply.

AP News - Rothman noted that his tenure has included efforts to increase state funding, debates over free speech, and declining enrollment leading to eight branch campus closures.

WHERE:

AP News - University of Wisconsin system, Madison, Wisconsin

WHEN:

WPR - Rothman sent a second letter to two other regents on March 31st, 2026, after they urged him to step down during a meeting on March 30th, 2026.

AP News - Rothman has been president since 2022.

AP News - Rothman sent a letter to the Board of Regents on March 26th, 2026.

AP News - The Board of Regents held a closed emergency meeting on March 31st, 2026.

AP News - Rothman raised the possibility of resigning in 2023.

WHY:

AP News - Rothman expressed that he was surprised when told “an unidentified majority of the Board of Regents had lost confidence” in his leadership.

AP News - Rothman indicated that he was surprised to learn that "an unidentified majority of the Board of Regents had lost confidence" in his leadership.

WPR - Nedweski suggested that Rothman's willingness to work with Republicans may have made him incompatible with the Regents' agenda.

AP News - Rothman stated that he was surprised to learn that an unidentified majority of the Board of Regents had lost confidence in his leadership.

AP News - Rothman indicated that he was not provided with reasons for the Board's request for his resignation.

HOW:

AP News - Rothman stated that he asked for an opportunity to discuss the situation with the board and was told that would not happen.

AP News - Rothman asked for an opportunity to discuss the situation with the Board of Regents, which was denied.

WPR - Rothman communicated his refusal to resign through letters to the Board of Regents and indicated that he had asked for an opportunity to discuss the situation with the board, which was denied.

AP News - Rothman communicated his refusal to resign through letters to the Board of Regents.

(UPDATED April 3, 2026 13:26 UTC)

Rothman has revealed that he was given an ultimatum to either resign or retire, with the board prepared to terminate his employment if he does not comply. In a letter sent on Tuesday, he refused to step down after regents urged him to resign during a meeting the day before, while also noting the upcoming need to replace the chancellor of the flagship Madison campus, who is leaving for a position at Columbia University. Rothman expressed surprise at being informed that an unidentified majority of the Board of Regents had lost confidence in his leadership and stated he requested a chance to discuss the situation, but was told that would not be possible.

(UPDATED April 3, 2026 09:15 UTC)

In a surprising turn of events, University of Washington President Rothman stated that he may have to resign, as the Board of Regents was prepared to terminate his employment despite his accomplishments. He described the circumstances surrounding his potential resignation as "nearly (if not completely) indefensible" and expressed shock at learning that an unidentified majority of the Board had lost confidence in his leadership. Rothman, who earns a salary of $600,943, requested a chance to discuss the situation with the Board, but that request was denied.

(UPDATED April 3, 2026 05:31 UTC)

State Representative Amanda Nedweski has accused regents appointed by Democratic Governor Tony Evers of trying to push President Rothman out in favor of someone who aligns more closely with their progressive agenda. In a letter, Rothman expressed that he is not prepared to resign, citing a lack of substantive reasons for the Board of Regents' finding of no confidence in his leadership. After being urged to step down during a meeting on Monday, Rothman sent a second letter to two regents on Tuesday, indicating his refusal to resign and requesting a chance to discuss the situation, which was denied.

(UPDATED April 3, 2026 01:23 UTC)

Jay Rothman, president of the University of Wisconsin system, has been informed that he must either resign or face termination after the Board of Regents expressed a lack of confidence in his leadership. Rothman, who has held his position since 2022, stated he was surprised by the Board's decision and has not been given any substantive reasons for their request, leading him to refuse to resign. He has communicated his stance through letters to the Board, highlighting his tenure's challenges, including efforts to increase state funding and declining enrollment that resulted in the closure of eight branch campuses.