Former Wisconsin Universities President Jay Rothman 'Blindsided' by Unanimous Firing Decision

Wed Apr 08 2026 17:32:34 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In an exclusive interview, Jay Rothman expressed shock over his firing and stated he would not likely pursue legal action.

Jay Rothman, who was recently fired as President of the Universities of Wisconsin, said he was 'blindsided' by the decision and lacks clarity on the reasons behind his dismissal. Despite considering retirement, he ultimately decided to remain in his position until the board took their unanimous vote.

MADISON, Wis. (RTW News) — In his first interview after being unanimously fired by the board of regents, former President Jay Rothman expressed feelings of being blindsided by the swift decision and revealed that he has yet to receive a clear explanation.

Rothman, who had led the Universities of Wisconsin system for nearly four years, stated he was taken by surprise by the board’s decision, which followed a brief closed-door meeting. As of now, the regents have not provided any reasons for his firing.

Absolutely I was blindsided, Rothman declared. I really don’t know [why I was fired]. I asked for reasons why. They were not able to articulate any. Despite the unexpected nature of his termination, Rothman indicated that he is not anticipating any legal action against the board.

We’ll have to see how circumstances develop, he added. I don’t think it’s likely that I would go in that direction. That’s not who I am. Rothman had previously been urged by regents to consider retirement but ultimately decided against it without a clear rationale for such a move.

In a statement preceding his dismissal, Regent President Amy Bogost emphasized that the decision was made in the interest of the future of the 13-university system, which serves around 165,000 students. Rothman’s firing has sparked controversy, with some government officials labeling it as a politically motivated hatchet job.

While Rothman seeks clarity on the circumstances of his firing, he remains focused on the future, emphasizing that he is unwilling to speculate on the reasons behind the board's decision.