Jay Rothman

The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents will vote on terminating system president Jay Rothman, who declined an offer to resign and demanded reasons for the move. Board President Amy Bogost stated discussions have been ongoing for months, framing the decision as a necessary alignment with evolving higher education priorities amid broader system leadership changes.

University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman is resisting calls from the board of regents to resign or face removal. The push to oust him has surfaced through private conversations and letters, with Rothman stating he has not been given clear reasons for the board's apparent lack of confidence. The situation raises questions about governance and accountability within the system.

The chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Joe Gow, and his wife, Carmen Wilson, were fired after posting pornographic videos online under the username Sexy Happy Couple. They believe they were wrongfully terminated and argue that their free speech rights were violated. The University of Wisconsin Board unanimously decided to dismiss Gow and also removed Wilson from her position as associate to the chancellor. The university's president cited significant reputational harm and plans for Gow to return to his faculty role after an investigation.