MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The president of the University of Wisconsin system, Jay Rothman, stated in letters to the Board of Regents that he has been pressured to either resign or face termination without being provided with any reason. Rothman has served as president since 2022, overseeing 165,000 students across multiple campuses.

In a letter dated March 26, Rothman expressed his concerns about the lack of reasoning behind the regents' request for his resignation. Despite being told he could either retire or resign, he has firmly refused to do so out of principle, emphasizing his commitment to the university's values and mission.

“I believe my letter speaks for itself,” Rothman stated in a follow-up email, reinforcing that he has not been given any substantive reasons for the Board's expressed lack of confidence in his leadership.

The Board of Regents, which oversees the University of Wisconsin system, convened for an emergency meeting to address personnel issues, though no comments on specific personnel matters were made by board president, Amy Bogost.

Rothman received further pressure from other regents who suggested he step down during a recent meeting. If he declines to resign, they indicated that the board was prepared to terminate his employment this weekend. Rothman remarked, “I find this process to be nearly (if not completely) indefensible,” discussing his surprise at the board's decision-making process without opportunity for an open dialogue.

His tenure has faced significant challenges, such as a decline in enrollment, funding cuts, and campus controversies surrounding free speech. Rothman's efforts to combat these issues include advocating for increased state funding and navigating complex discussions about diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus.

In his letters, Rothman also highlighted the necessity of leadership during a transitional period marked by significant retirements, including the departure of the Madison campus chancellor for a new role at Columbia University. He insisted that resigning at this crucial time would not serve the best interests of the university or the state of Wisconsin.

Having previously led the Milwaukee-based law firm Foley & Lardner, Rothman was appointed as the president of the University of Wisconsin System in 2022 with no prior experience in higher education administration, earning an annual salary of $600,943.