Michael S. Roth

{{Infobox officeholder | name = Michael Roth | image = Michael Roth (Wesleyan University) 03.jpg | office = 16th President of [[Wesleyan University]] | term_start = July 1, 2007 | term_end = | predecessor = [[Douglas J. Bennet]] | successor = | office1 = 8th President of [[California College of the Arts]] | term_start1 = 2000 | term_end1 = 2007 | predecessor1 = [[Lorne Michael Buchman]] | successor1 = [[Stephen Beal]] | birth_name = Michael Scott Roth | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|4|8}} | birth_place = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | spouse = Kari Weil | website = {{url|roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu|Official blog}} | module = {{Infobox academic | embed = yes | thesis_title = Knowing and History: The Resurgence of French Hegelianism from the 1930s through the Post-War Period | thesis_url = https://www.proquest.com/docview/303279264 | thesis_year = 1983 | education = [[Wesleyan University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[Princeton University]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]], [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]]) | doctoral_advisor = [[Victor Gourevitch]], [[Jerrold Seigel]] | academic_advisors = [[Raymond Aron]], [[Michel Foucault]], Eugène Fleischmann }}

}}

'''Michael Scott Roth''' (born April 8, 1957) is an American academic and university administrator. He became the 16th president of [[Wesleyan University]] in 2007. Formerly, he was the 8th president of the [[California College of the Arts]] (2000–2007), associate director of the [[Getty Research Institute]] in [[Los Angeles]], and Director of European Studies at [[Claremont Graduate University]]. He was also the H.B. Professor of Humanities at [[Scripps College]], where he was the founding director of the Scripps College Humanities Institute.<ref name="wesleyan.edu">{{cite web|url=http://www.wesleyan.edu/president/biography/index.html |title=Meet Michael Roth, Office of the President - Wesleyan University |publisher=Wesleyan.edu |date=2007-07-01 |accessdate=2013-03-27}}</ref>

==Early life and education== Roth was born on April 8, 1957, in [[Brooklyn]], New York.<ref name="contempauthors">{{Cite book|title=Contemporary Authors|title-link=Contemporary Authors|publisher=[[Gale (publisher)|Gale]]|year=1989|isbn=0-8103-1952-7|editor-last=Trosky|editor-first=Susan M.|volume=127|pages=[[iarchive:contemporaryauth127gale/page/370/mode/1up|127–128]]|issn=0010-7468|oclc=35395922}}</ref> He was the second in his family to attend college. He graduated from [[Wesleyan University]] in 1978, completing his studies in three years and graduating ''[[summa cum laude]]'' and [[Phi Beta Kappa]].<ref>[http://theweek.com/article/index/228677/can-three-year-degrees-help-americans-afford-college Can Three Year Degrees Help Americans Afford College?], ''The Week''. Source, ''Washington Post'' (2). Third paragraph. Posted 31 May 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2012.</ref> While there, he was a member and eventual president of the [[Alpha Delta Phi]] Society. He designed his own major in the history of psychological theory. He later went to earn his Ph.D. in history from [[Princeton University]] in 1984.<ref>[http://www.easternct.edu/mt-static/press_releases/2012/03/wesleyan-president-michael-roth-commencement-speaker.html Wesleyan President Michael Roth Commencement Speaker] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506151630/http://www.easternct.edu/mt-static/press_releases/2012/03/wesleyan-president-michael-roth-commencement-speaker.html |date=2015-05-06 }}, Eastern Connecticut State University. By Kate Harned. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2012.</ref><ref name="wesleyan.edu" /> Roth teaches every semester and, in May 2009, he was appointed university professor at Wesleyan. Roth is [[Jewish]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Conversation with Dr. Michael S. Roth|url=http://www.jewishledger.com/articles/2007/11/26/news/news08.txt|work=[[Jewish Ledger]]|accessdate=6 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="newsletter.blogs.wesleyan.edu" />

==Career== Roth has described his scholarly interests as centered on “how people make sense of the past.”<ref name="newsletter.blogs.wesleyan.edu">{{cite web|url=http://newsletter.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2009/06/04/board-affirms-newly-tenured-promoted-faculty/ |title=Board Affirms Newly Tenured, Promoted Faculty |publisher=Newsletter.blogs.wesleyan.edu |date= |accessdate=2013-03-27}}</ref> He has edited many volumes in intellectual and cultural history and is the author of six books: ''Psycho-Analysis as History: Negation and Freedom in Freud'' (Cornell University Press, 1987, 1995); ''Knowing and History: Appropriations of Hegel in Twentieth Century France'' (Cornell University Press, 1988); ''The Ironist's Cage: Trauma, Memory and the Construction of History'' (Columbia University Press, 1995); and ''Irresistible Decay: Ruins Reclaimed'', with Clare Lyons and Charles Merewether (Getty Research Institute, 1997). More recent works include ''Memory, Trauma, and History: Essays on Living With the Past'' (Columbia University Press, autumn 2011),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cup.columbia.edu/book/978-0-231-14568-8/memory-trauma-and-history |title=Memory, Trauma, and History |publisher=Cup.columbia.edu |date= |accessdate=2013-03-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/05/21/roth.liberal.education/ | work=CNN | title=Why liberal arts matter | date=21 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Roth |first=Michael S. |url=http://chronicle.com/article/How-Colleges-Can-Ensure/127233/ |title=How Colleges Can Ensure Quality, Not Inequality - Commentary - The Chronicle of Higher Education |publisher=Chronicle.com |date=2011-04-24 |accessdate=2013-03-27}}</ref> ''Beyond The University-Why Liberal Education Matters'' (Yale University Press, 2014),<ref name="thehastingscenter">{{cite web |url=http://www.thehastingscenter.org/About/Board/Detail.aspx?id=5480 |title=Michael Roth |publisher=The Hastings Center |date= |accessdate=2013-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607102223/http://www.thehastingscenter.org/About/Board/Detail.aspx?id=5480 |archive-date=2013-06-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and ''Safe Enough Spaces: A Pragmatist's Approach to Inclusion, Free Speech, and Political Correctness on College Campuses'' (Yale University Press, August 2019).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300234855/safe-enough-spaces|title=Safe Enough Spaces|publisher=Yale University Press|accessdate=2020-01-10}}</ref>

Roth edited ''Freud: Conflict and Culture: Essays on His Life, Work, and Legacy'',<ref>New York: Knopf, 1998.</ref> which was produced in association with the [[Library of Congress]]. It grew out of the Library's 1998 presentation of "the largest exhibit ever assembled on the life and work of Sigmund Freud," of which Roth was guest curator.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/11/magazine/the-museum-show-has-an-ego-disorder.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=3 Talbot, Margaret, "The Museum Show Has An Ego Disorder"]</ref>

Roth co-edited ''Looking for Los Angeles: Architecture, Film, Photography'' and ''The Urban Landscape and Disturbing Remains: Memory, History, and Crisis in the Twentieth Century'' (both Getty Research Institute, 2001). He has also published essays and book reviews in the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', the ''[[New York Times]]'',<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/10/books/review/college-by-andrew-delbanco.html Light, Truth and Whatever: ‘College,’ by Andrew Delbanco], ''The New York Times''. By Michael S. Roth. Published 8 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.</ref> the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'', the ''[[Washington Post]]'',<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/college-inc/post/wesleyan-president-a-degree-in-three-marvelous-years/2012/05/23/gJQANAIIlU_blog.html Wesleyan president: A degree in ‘three marvelous years’], ''The Washington Post''. By Daniel de Vise. 23 May 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2012.</ref> ''[[The Chronicle of Higher Education]]'', the ''[[Huffington Post]]'',<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-roth/midnight-in-america-renew_b_878122.html | work=Huffington Post | first=Michael | last=Roth | title=Midnight in America: Renewing the Pantheon | date=16 June 2011}}</ref> [[Slate (magazine)|Slate]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Michael S. Roth |url=https://slate.com/author/michael-s-roth |website=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |access-date=2025-03-11}}</ref> ''Book Forum'', ''Rethinking History'', and Wesleyan's ''History and Theory''.

== President of Wesleyan University == [[File:Wesleyan University - South College 03.jpg|thumb|South College, the President's office at Wesleyan University]] Roth has undertaken several initiatives at [[Wesleyan University]], and the University announced in May 2011 a $2 million donation to establish the Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship, which will support students who want to create programs and organizations serving the public good anywhere in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.courant.com/business/connecticut-insurance/hc-patricelli-wesleyan-evolution-1010-20111009,0,966167.story |title=Bob Patricelli: Bob Patricelli Is Taking On Social Change Through Philanthropy - Hartford Courant |publisher=Courant.com |date=2011-10-10 |accessdate=2013-03-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsletter.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2011/05/24/gift-establishes-the-patricelli-center-for-social-entrepreneurship/ |title=Gift Establishes the Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship |publisher=Newsletter.blogs.wesleyan.edu |date=2011-05-24 |accessdate=2013-03-27}}</ref> A College of the Environment also has been launched and serves as the University's third multidisciplinary College in addition to the College of Social Studies and the College of Letters.<ref>[http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2010/10/19/news/doc4cbd11f7cc8f2345795240.txt?viewmode=fullstory Wesleyan receives $5 M in endowments] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402040401/http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2010/10/19/news/doc4cbd11f7cc8f2345795240.txt?viewmode=fullstory |date=2012-04-02 }}, Middletown Press. Last paragraph. By Hillary Federico. Published 19 October 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2012.</ref><ref name="wesleyan">{{cite web|url=http://www.wesleyan.edu/about/uhistory.html |title=History of Wesleyan - About - Wesleyan University |publisher=Wesleyan.edu |accessdate=2013-03-27 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330145539/http://www.wesleyan.edu/about/uhistory.html |archivedate=2009-03-30 }}</ref><ref name="easternct">[http://www.easternct.edu/mt-static/press_releases/2012/03/wesleyan-president-michael-roth-commencement-speaker.html Wesleyan President Michael Roth Commencement Speaker] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506151630/http://www.easternct.edu/mt-static/press_releases/2012/03/wesleyan-president-michael-roth-commencement-speaker.html |date=2015-05-06 }}, Eastern Connecticut State University. By Kate Harner. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2012.</ref> Roth is compensated approximately $1.3 million annually as president of Wesleyan University.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/60646959/05_2019_prefixes_04-06%2F060646959_201806_990_2019053016359907|title=Wesleyan University - Form 990|last=|first=|date=|website=propublica.org|access-date=2019-11-20}}</ref>

=== Coeducation of Fraternities === [[File:Wesleyan University - DKE 01.jpg|thumb|[[Delta Kappa Epsilon|DKE]] House at Wesleyan University]] In 2014, Roth instituted the requirement that in all [[Fraternity|fraternities]] at Wesleyan, "Women as well as men must be full members and well represented in the body and leadership of the organization."<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Kaminer|first=Ariel|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/23/nyregion/fraternities-at-wesleyan-are-told-they-must-be-coed.html|title=Fraternities at Wesleyan Are Ordered to Become Coed|date=2014-09-22|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-04-05|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> This was in reaction to reports of sexual assault in [[frat house]]s over the years, including the years of violent activity at the house of the now dissolved Wesleyan chapter of [[Beta Theta Pi]].<ref name=":0" /> While giving organizations three years to comply, Wesleyan did not give students the option to live in single-sex frats for the 2015–16 school year.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ksl.com/article/33536119/wesleyan-university-frat-sues-over-demand-it-become-coed|title=Wesleyan University frat sues over demand it become coed|website=www.ksl.com|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref> The Wesleyan chapter of [[Delta Kappa Epsilon]] (DKE) called the decision "political correctness gone wrong" and filed a discrimination lawsuit against Wesleyan.<ref name=":1" /> In the case, where the Kent Literary Club (KLC), the alumni chapter of DKE, was suing Wesleyan University, the jury ruled in KLC's favor on the grounds that Roth had given frats three years to meet requirements, and the option for living in single-sex frats was taken away within a year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/community/middletown/hc-middletown-dke-verdict-wesleyan-fraternity-0616-20170615-story.html|title=DKE Wins Claim Against Wesleyan In Trial Over Fraternity House Closure|last=BEALS|first=SHAWN R.|website=courant.com|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref> Wesleyan took the case to the [[Connecticut Supreme Court]], which heard oral arguments in the case in early 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2019/05/03/connecticut-supreme-court-hears-oral-arguments-in-dke-case/|title=Connecticut Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in DKE Case|website=The Wesleyan Argus|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref> On March 5, 2021, the Connecticut Supreme Court "reverse[d] the judgment of the trial court and remand[ed] the case for a new trial."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20221127035006/https://casetext.com/case/kent-literary-club-of-wesleyan-univ-at-middletown-v-wesleyan-univ Kent Literary Club of Wesleyan Univ. at Middletown v. Wesleyan Univ.]</ref> On March 22, 2022, the University "reached a settlement in the Kent Literary Club et al. v. Wesleyan University et al. court case ... ending the case seven years after the lawsuit was initially filed."<ref>[http://wesleyanargus.com/2022/04/28/university-reaches-settlement-with-delta-kappa-epsilon-in-seven-year-lawsuit/ University Reaches Settlement with Delta Kappa Epsilon in Seven-Year Lawsuit]</ref>

=== Condemnation of BDS === Roth publicly condemned the academic boycott of Israeli institutions made by the [[American Studies Association]] and other scholarly organizations as part of the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions]] Movement,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/la-xpm-2013-dec-19-la-oe-roth-academic-boycott-israel-20131219-story.html|title=Boycott of Israeli universities: a repugnant attack on academic freedom|last1=Roth|first1=Michael|date=December 19, 2013|access-date=30 March 2015|work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> a stance that attracted further protest from many Wesleyan alumni.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://alton.wang/post/110303915661/the-death-of-ethnic-studies|title=Roth Denounces ASA, Alumns Respond|date=February 3, 2014|accessdate=30 March 2015|publisher=Weslying}}</ref> Following an [http://wesleyanargus.com/2015/04/23/what-just-happened-prisons-divestment-and-transparency/ April 2015 protest] in Roth's office, in which students demanded that Wesleyan University divest its endowment from the [[private prison]] industry, the [[Israeli occupation]], and the [[Fossil fuel divestment|fossil fuel]] industry, Roth made a [http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2015/04/30/invest-divest-conversations-continue/ blog post], in part stating, "I don't see Wesleyan's selling stock as being at all relevant to the creation of conditions for peace in the Middle East. Indeed, I think that the call for selling stock is a distraction from the essential policy and diplomatic challenges ahead." This put him in direct conflict with the student protesters' ideologies.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2015/04/30/invest-divest-conversations-continue/|title=Invest? Divest? Conversations Continue – Roth on Wesleyan|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref>

*Various student groups, including [https://wesdivest.weebly.com/ WesDivest] and Climate Action Group, have been pushing for the [[Wesleyan University]] [[Financial endowment|endowment]] to [[Fossil fuel divestment|divest from fossil fuel]] companies since the early 2010s.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2019/12/06/intersectional-divestment-campaign-sparks-controversy-in-sustainability-community/|title=WesDivest's Intersectional Divestment Campaign Sparks Controversy in Wesleyan's Climate Action Circles|website=The Wesleyan Argus|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref> After a 2015 protest to [[Fossil fuel divestment|divest from the fossil fuel industry]], private prisons, and the [[Israeli Occupation of Palestine|Israeli occupation]], Roth posted a blog post, stating that divesting stock would not affect climate change. While, in recent years, Roth has changed his stance on fossil fuel divestment, stating that Wesleyan will be divested from fossil fuel companies by 2031, student protesters continue to push him on the issue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2019/09/26/from-climate-strike-to-climate-actions/|title=From Climate Strike to Climate Actions – Roth on Wesleyan|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> *Divestment from private prisons was among the demands for divestment in a 2015 protest in Roth's office, after which Roth reported Wesleyan had no investments in private prisons. *In 2007, many Wesleyan students and alumni became concerned with Wesleyan's investments in [[General Dynamics]] and [[Raytheon Company|Raytheon]], two weapon manufacturers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2007/04/10/why-does-wesleyan-invest-in-weapons-contractors/|title=Why does Wesleyan invest in weapons contractors?|website=The Wesleyan Argus|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref> This led the Wesleyan student group, Students for Ending the [[Iraq War|War in Iraq]] (SEWI), to lead a campaign for Wesleyan's divestment from weapons contractors, with various conservative student detractors, as well as actions on part of the [[Wesleyan Student Assembly]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2007/09/21/immediate-divestment-from-weapons-contractors-the-sewi-campaign-continues/|title=Immediate divestment from weapons contractors: the SEWI campaign continues|website=The Wesleyan Argus|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2007/04/13/why-shouldnt-wesleyan-invest-in-weapons-contractors/|title=Why shouldn't Wesleyan invest in weapons contractors?|website=The Wesleyan Argus|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2007/04/24/wsa-rejects-sewi-resolution-to-divest-from-weapons-contractors/|title=WSA rejects SEWI resolution to divest from weapons contractors|website=The Wesleyan Argus|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref> In 2008, the Wesleyan Board of Trustees (on which Roth sits) declined to divest from weapon contractors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wesleying.org/2008/05/23/no-divestment/|title=No Divestment|last=Joy|first=Mad|date=2008-05-23|website=Wesleying|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref>

=== Firing of Scott Backer and subsequent call for removal === Scott Backer was fired from Wesleyan as Associate Dean of Students in October 2016 when a [[Boston Globe]] article was released, revealing he was fired from [[Vermont Academy]] in 2007 for predatory behavior with a student.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dean Whaley Sends All Campus Email About the Firing of Scott Backer|url=http://wesleying.org/2016/10/02/dean-whaley-sends-all-campus-email-about-the-firing-of-scott-backer/|last=wilk|date=2016-10-02|website=Wesleying|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Educators accused of sexual misconduct often find new posts |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/10/01/how-educators-find-new-jobs-after-alleged-sexual-misconduct/TpwwzQkFmRNbrENTmzfluJ/story.html|last1=Abelson|first1=Jenn|last2=English|first2=Bella|work=The Boston Globe|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-18|last3=Saltzman|first3=Jonathan|last4=Wallack|first4=Todd |date=1 October 2016}}</ref> Two hundred students held a town hall later that week, coming to the consensus that Roth and Wesleyan Vice President for Equity and Inclusion/[[Title IX]] Officer Antonio Farias should resign. Students criticized the lack of transparency of administration, as well as, as the Wesleyan Argus states, "what they argue is the administration's ongoing failure to adequately reform sexual assault policy and address the issue of sexual assault on campus."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Two Hundred Students Call for Removal of Roth, Farias in Open Town Hall Meeting|url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2016/10/05/two-hundred-students-call-for-removal-of-roth-farias-in-open-town-hall-meeting/|website=The Wesleyan Argus|language=en|access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref>

As days went on, tensions rose, with posters being put up around campus, and Backer's handling of sexual assault cases at Wesleyan being brought under a more critical lens. Students cited that this added to feelings of unsafety they already felt at Wesleyan.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tensions Heighten in the Wake of Scott Backer Scandal|url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2016/10/07/backer-fallout/|website=The Wesleyan Argus|language=en|access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref>

These events spurred protests on October 10, 2016, during an open house day at Wesleyan. These were known under the name "Who Runs Wes?". Students had various flyers, demonstrations, and disruptions meant to bring attention to shortcomings of the University, including lack of transparency regarding the Backer firing, invasive/inappropriate Title IX hearings, mistreatment of marginalized students, Wesleyan's theft of land, property, and human remains of [[Wangunk]] people, and various other issues.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Prefrosh Open House: A Day of Student Protest|url=http://wesleying.org/2016/10/11/prefrosh-open-house-a-day-of-student-protest/|last=wilk|date=2016-10-11|website=Wesleying|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref>

=== Lack of funding to African American Studies === The [[Wesleyan University]] [[African-American studies|African American Studies]] program (AFAM) was stated to have only two English professors by the end of the 2013–2014 school year, as opposed to seven [[Academic tenure|tenured]] or tenure-tracked professors, as well as visiting professors, in 2009.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/college/2014/05/13/wesleyan-students-fight-to-re-establish-focus-on-african-american-studies/37391015/|title=Wesleyan students fight to re-establish focus on African American Studies|last=Herman|first=Lily|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-06}}</ref><ref name="middletownpress.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/Wesleyan-students-protest-understaffing-of-11784215.php|title=Wesleyan students protest understaffing of African-American Studies program|date=2014-05-12|website=The Middletown Press|access-date=2020-04-06}}</ref> This prompted students to put a proposal through the [[Wesleyan Student Assembly]] in early May 2014, calling for the prioritization of hiring more AFAM professors, as well as calling on Roth and Provost [[Ruth Striegel Weissman]] to give public responses.<ref name=":5" /> On May 14, around 100 students participated in a march at Wesleyan and sit-in in South College (Roth's office building) to protest the issue.<ref name=":5" /><ref name="middletownpress.com"/> While protesting, students sang a re-written version of the [https://www.wesleyan.edu/about/history-traditions/traditions.html Wesleyan Fight Song], including the lyrics, "Roth's killing AFAM, where's our inclusion?"<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wesleying.org/2014/05/12/breaking-afamiswhy-is-marching-on-wesleyan/|title=BREAKING: #AFAMisWhy is Marching on Wesleyan|last=alt|date=2014-05-12|website=Wesleying|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-06}}</ref> A panel with both targets was held later in the day, where many students still found frustration with Roth and Weissman given lack of concrete action of the issue.<ref name=":5" /> In a blog post two days later, Roth announced the search for more professors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2014/05/14/framework-for-progress-on-african-american-studies/|title=Framework for Progress on African-American Studies – Roth on Wesleyan|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-06}}</ref>

=== Physical confrontations with students and reporters === In October 2012, Roth engaged in a public confrontation with a reporter from [[Democracy Now!]] during student protests against Wesleyan's decision to end need-blind admissions, which involved Roth putting his head to the camera and taking the reporter's microphone.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MNzwgNCJO4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/9MNzwgNCJO4 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Wesleyan President Grabs DN! Microphone as Students Protest End to Need-Blind Admissions|date=October 26, 2012|accessdate=30 March 2015|agency=Democracy Now!}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Also in October 2012, students were grabbed by Roth, who was confronting them regarding using chalk on Wyllys Avenue (a street not owned by Wesleyan) as a form of protest, determined to be permissible by both [[Wesleyan University]] and the City of [[Middletown, Connecticut]]. Many found this to be an unnecessary and controversial action by Roth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wesleying.org/2012/10/21/legal-chalk-in-shut-down-by-roth-an-account/|title=Legal Chalk-In Shut Down by Roth: An Account|last=Zach|date=2012-10-21|website=Wesleying|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-11}}</ref>

=== Working conditions at the university === Wesleyan University cut its custodial staff from 60 to 50 between 2012 and 2014, resulting in reports of custodians being overworked.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2019/04/08/take-five-uslac-advocates-for-five-new-custodial-hires/|title=Take Five: USLAC Advocates for Five New Custodial Hires|website=The Wesleyan Argus|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref> It was publicly known conditions were changing as early as 2012 (due to changing workloads), and custodians publicly protested in 2013, when five people had already been fired.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2012/02/23/abm-contract-up-for-grabs-custodians-report-increased-workloads/|title=ABM Contract Up for Grabs: Custodians Report Increased Workloads, Students React|website=The Wesleyan Argus|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/Wesleyan-custodians-decry-conditions-cuts-11839610.php|title=Wesleyan custodians decry conditions, cuts|last=Gecan|first=Alex|date=2013-06-14|website=The Middletown Press|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref>

In September 2013, a rally was held at a Wesleyan football game to protest custodial working conditions. Around the same time, a letter directed at Roth from custodians was released, in part stating:<blockquote>We understand that when the contract between Wesleyan University and Sun Services was made, an agreement was reached that if the new company broke any of the Union contract policies, the contract with the company would be broken immediately...We the custodians that work at your facility ask that Sun Services be removed from campus on the premises that it has allowed not only for the breach of the contract but also for the harassment, mistreatment, and exploitation of us the custodians.”<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2019/11/22/into-the-argives-janitorial-labor-movements-at-wesleyan-in-2012-and-2013/|title=Into the Argives: Janitorial Labor Movements at Wesleyan in 2012 and 2013|website=The Wesleyan Argus|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref></blockquote>2018 saw another rise in attention and protest on this issue, once again largely directed at Roth. The student group United Student Labor Action Coalition (USLAC) brought attention to the firing of a custodian, as well as the workload issue, amplifying the demand for Wesleyan to hire five more custodians.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2018/10/25/uslac-mobilizes-to-rehire-custodian-after-abrupt-termination/|title=USLAC Mobilizes to Rehire Custodian After Abrupt Termination|website=The Wesleyan Argus|date=25 October 2018 |language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref><ref name=":4" />

In 2019, USLAC organized a three-day protest during WesFest, a university organized event for prospective students, rallying around the already existing demand for "Five More Workers". A large highlight by protesters was Roth's salary, citing the $926,183 figure to highlight the misallocation of resources at the school.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2019/04/12/uslac-leads-multi-day-protest-demanding-custodial-hires/|title=USLAC Leads Multi-Day Protest Demanding Custodial Hires|website=The Wesleyan Argus|date=12 April 2019 |language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref> Roth also faced criticism for treatment of protesters and custodians as it related to this movement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wesleying.org/2019/10/25/michael-roth-protest-and-free-speech-part-1-of-2/|title=Michael Roth, Protest, and Free Speech (Part 1 of 2)|last=frogmart|date=2019-10-25|website=Wesleying|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref>

Roth announced the hiring of one more custodian before the 2019–2020 school year, and pushes to hire more custodians continued.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2019/09/10/roth-announces-the-hire-of-one-additional-custodial-worker/|title=Roth '78 Announces the Hire of Additional Custodial Worker|website=The Wesleyan Argus|date=10 September 2019 |language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2019/11/05/uslac-leads-protest-during-homecoming/|title=USLAC Leads Protest During Homecoming Game|website=The Wesleyan Argus|date=5 November 2019 |language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref>

Following news that Workforce Time would be coming to Wesleyan as the new time-tracking system for employees, employees and students protested amidst concerns around its surveillance technology, including [[Geofencing|geo-fencing]]. A petition circulated, targeting Roth, calling for the plan to implement Workforce Time be stopped. In response, Roth stated:<blockquote>"I’ve seen the petition, but it says things like ‘Roth wants to know where custodians piss and shit.’ Although that's an interesting idea, as a [[Sigmund Freud|Freudian]], it's just misinformation. It may be the case that the thousand people who signed it don't want [[Geofencing|geo-fencing]]. But it's probably not the case."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/students-and-maintenance-staff-protest-to-surveillance-at-wesleyan-university/|title=Students and Maintenance Staff Protest Surveillance at Wesleyan University|last=Gurley|first=Lauren Kaori|date=2020-03-05|website=Vice|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref></blockquote>

=== Zonker Harris Day cancellation === In Winter of 2008, Roth approved a decision to remove "the annual music and arts festival [[Zonker Harris]] Day"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2010/12/07/doonesbury-strip-reopens-zonker-harris-debate/|title=Doonesbury Strip Reopens Zonker Harris Debate - Features|last=Morgan|first=Tess|date=7 December 2010|publisher=The Wesleyan Argus|accessdate=2013-03-27}}</ref> from the University's calendar of events, saying: "The institution should make it clear that it's not supporting things that are stupid."<ref name="argus">Ezra Silk, [http://wesleyanargus.com/2008/02/29/blunt-refusal-reslife-says-no-to-funding-zonker-harris-day/ "Blunt refusal: ResLife says no to funding Zonker Harris Day"], ''The Wesleyan Argus'', 29 February 2009</ref> The Wesleyan college newspaper noted: "The annual celebration references a perpetually-stoned character in [[Garry Trudeau]]'s ''[[Doonesbury]]'' comic strip, inspiring University participants to emulate Zonker Harris's drug habits."<ref name="argus" /> The day was renamed "Ze Who Must Not Be Named." The decision earned Roth an appearance in a [[Doonesbury]] strip in Autumn 2010.<ref>Dylan Loeb McClain, [http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/03/the-butt-of-doonesbury-and-proud-of-it/ "The Butt of Doonesbury, and Proud of It"], ''New York Times'', 3 December 2010</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/12/07/doonesburys-garry-trudeau-versus-wesleyan-universitys-michael-roth.html|title=Doonesbury's Garry Trudeau Versus Wesleyan University's Michael Roth|author=Barbara Spindel|date=2010-12-07|publisher=The Daily Beast|accessdate=2013-03-27}}</ref> On March 22, 2011, the university administration officially reversed its decision on the festival's name. The festival was again known as Zonker Harris Day beginning with the 2011 festival in April.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wesleyanargus.com/2011/03/25/zonker-harris-day-makes-a-comeback/|title=Zonker Harris Day Makes a Comeback|last=Schwartz|first=Ammanda|date=25 March 2011 |publisher=Wesleyan Argus}}</ref>

=== Response to threat to academic freedom === During assaults on higher education by the Trump administration, Roth was recognized in March 2025 by the conservative commentator, [[Charlie Sykes]], as the first to speak up in defense of academic freedom in private universities and colleges.<ref>Sykes, Charlie, ''[https://charliesykes.substack.com/p/michael-roth-no-time-for-appeasement Michael Roth: No Time for Appeasement: A conversation with the president of Wesleyan University]'', ''To the contrary'', Substack, March 18, 2025 </ref> Later, Roth was used to exemplify the position Sykes supports when threats by the Trump administration began with the application of pressure on universities that drove them to have to decide what their individual responses would be.<ref>Sykes, Charlie, ''[https://charliesykes.substack.com/p/profiles-in-courage-profiles-in-un Profiles in Courage. Profiles in Un-courage. I have some good news and some bad news.]'', ''To the contrary'', Substack, April 23, 2025 </ref> In May 2025, PEN America recognized him with the PEN/Benenson Courage Award for "his early and ardent admonition of the current administration’s efforts to undermine the independence of colleges and universities and campus free speech."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-16 |title=AT NYC Gala PEN America Honors Champions of Free Expression Including Sarah Jessica Parker, Macmillan Publishers CEO Jon Yaged and Wesleyan University President Michael Roth |url=https://pen.org/press-release/at-nyc-gala-pen-america-honors-champions-of-free-expression-including-sarah-jessica-parker-macmillan-publishers-ceo-jon-yaged-and-wesleyan-university-president-michael-roth/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=PEN America |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[http://condor.wesleyan.edu/openmedia/webcast/archive/2008/RC08/roth.qtl Michael S. Roth's Speech during Wesleyan's 176th Commencement on May 25, 2008] *[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-roth Michael S. Roth's articles on the Huffington Post]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Roth, Michael S.}} [[Category:Presidents of Wesleyan University]] [[Category:Wesleyan University alumni]] [[Category:Princeton University alumni]] [[Category:Wesleyan University faculty]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:20th-century American Jews]] [[Category:1957 births]] [[Category:21st-century American Jews]] [[Category:Presidents of California College of the Arts]] [[Category:Heads of universities and colleges in the United States]] [[Category:American scholars of Hegel]]