The president of the multi-campus Universities of Wisconsin has said in letters obtained by The Associated Press that he’s been told to resign or he will be fired.

Universities of Wisconsin regents have narrowly rejected a deal with Republicans that would have given employees a pay raise and paid for construction of a new engineering building in exchange for reductions in staff positions focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.

The Universities of Wisconsin and Assembly Republican Speaker Robin Vos have reached a sweeping deal that would freeze hiring for diversity positions across the system in exchange for lawmakers approving employee pay raises and funding for a new engineering building at the flagship campus.