Overview
- The Board of Regents, which met in a brief closed session Tuesday, voted unanimously to remove Jay Rothman effective immediately.
- The board said an annual performance review led to a loss of confidence in his leadership, while offering no specific public reasons.
- Vice President for University Relations Chris Patton will serve as acting executive-in-charge as regents begin a succession process.
- Rothman said he was blindsided and has not been told why he was removed, after he refused to resign without an explanation last week.
- Republican lawmakers announced hearings and threatened to block or remove regents, escalating a fight over governance as the 25-campus system confronts enrollment declines, branch closures and disputes over diversity policy.