University of Wisconsin President

Fired Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman speaks during an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Madison, Wis.

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Fired Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman tells AP he was 'blindsided' by his ouster

Fired Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman tells AP he was 'blindsided' by his ouster

Fired Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman tells The Associated Press in his first interview since the ouster that he was “blindsided” by the move but has no hard feelings and is unlikely to sue. Rothman was fired on Tuesday night in a unanimous vote by the board of regents following a roughly 30-minute closed door discussion. Regents have not publicly given a reason for firing Rothman, who was in the job for just under four years, Rothman told the AP on Wednesday that he has still not been given a reason for his firing. But Rothman, an attorney, says he is unlikely to sue over the ouster.