UW Fires System President Without Explanation
On Friday afternoon, word leaked that the UW Board of Regents had demanded the resignation of System President Jay Rothman without any public explanation given. He was told that if he didn’t resign he would be fired.
As Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities, I have worked closely with President Rothman since he took office in 2022. While we haven’t always agreed on every issue, I have found him to be an honest broker who has genuinely tried to work with the Legislature on meaningful reforms.
I commend President Rothman for his efforts to help the Universities of Wisconsin navigate declining enrollment nationwide. He has made difficult but necessary decisions to sustain our campuses and protect educational access for Wisconsin students.
I am concerned that the push to remove him may be driven by his strong support for free speech and open debate on our campuses—core principles that must be vigorously defended in higher education. On Tuesday evening, at a hastily called meeting, the Board went ahead and fired President Rothman. The lack of transparency from the Board of Regents is unacceptable.
You can read my statement from last Friday here.
New London Elementary Visits Madison
On Wednesday students from Lincoln Elementary in New London came to Madison to tour the Capitol. My staff was there to greet them and give them each a Wisconsin Blue Book. The Capitol is the people’s house, and it’s always special to see kids get to experience our amazing Capitol for the first time. This is the second week in a row we had kids from the district tour the Capitol.
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State Capitol Tours
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The best way to experience the beauty and grandeur of Wisconsin’s Capitol building (located at 2 East Main Street, Madison, WI 53702) is to see it for yourself. It is open to the public weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and weekends and holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Free tours are offered daily, year round except on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas. Tours start at the information desk Monday through Saturday at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 a.m. and 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.; and Sundays at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m. A 4:00 p.m. tour is offered weekdays (Monday – Friday), excluding holidays, during Memorial Day through Labor Day. Plan on spending 45-55 minutes for a tour. The sixth floor museum and observation deck are open during the summer months. Groups of ten or more can make an on-line reservation for a tour of the State Capitol or call (608)266-0382.
