Wisconsin board fires university president amid partisan clash
The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents abruptly ousted President Jay Rothman Tuesday, igniting a fierce political firestorm and raising serious questions about the future of the state’s flagship university system.
A calculated move, or a political hit?
The unanimous vote, delivered after a closed-session meeting, came just days after the regents first requested Rothman’s resignation – or his firing – citing performance concerns. But Republican lawmakers are branding the decision a calculated partisan maneuver, accusing the board of ignoring Rothman’s efforts to bridge divides and deliver results.
Rothman, who had led the sprawling system overseeing four-year universities since 2022, faced increasing pressure from a Republican-controlled Legislature and a board stacked with Democratic Governor Tony Evers’ appointees. He navigated a treacherous political landscape, striking a controversial deal in 2023 to freeze diversity hires and establish a conservative thought center at UW-Madison – a move initially rejected by the board before a subsequent approval.
A lack of transparency fuels controversy
What’s particularly galling for Republicans, led by Senate President Patrick Testin, is the apparent lack of justification. Rothman steadfastly refused to resign without a clear explanation for the decision, arguing he deserved to know the basis for the board’s actions. He highlighted the fact that regents repeatedly failed to articulate specific criticisms of his leadership, dismissing a performance review as “overwhelmingly positive.”
Beyond the politics: systemic challenges
Rothman’s tenure hasn’t been without its own difficulties. The university system has grappled with declining enrollment, forcing the closure of eight branch campuses, and is currently losing its chancellor, Jennifer Mnookin, to Columbia University. Despite these challenges, overall enrollment has remained relatively stable. The situation underscores the systemic pressures facing public higher Education in Wisconsin.
The board’s decision now threatens to further politicize the university system, with the Senate poised to scrutinize all 10 of Evers’ regents appointments. As Rothman himself pointed out, the response to his dismissal feels “after-the-fact,” a calculated attempt to undermine an administration that dared to engage with both sides of the political spectrum. He deserves better than a dismissive, politically motivated verdict.