MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) — Gov. Tony Evers removed University of Wisconsin System Regent Timothy Nixon from the Board of Regents on Friday following what the governor's office described as an alleged altercation with university staff.

Nixon's removal was effective immediately.

According to Evers' office, Nixon was involved in an alleged altercation with staff members who were providing support for an official university meeting.

Neither the governor's office nor the Board of Regents has released specific details about what happened.

"It is my expectation that UW Regents I appoint behave themselves with decency and decorum, and that they treat people with dignity and respect at all times," Evers said in a statement. "Unfortunately, today, a regent failed to uphold that basic standard."

Nixon told WisPolitics that he had been asked to leave a public forum Friday involving a finalist in the search for the next UW-Madison chancellor.

"I don't know about altercation. That's an interesting word," Nixon told WisPolitics. "But no, they asked me to leave and I did."

Nixon also said he serves at the pleasure of the governor and did not plan to challenge Evers' decision.

Nixon is a commercial lawyer with Godfrey & Kahn and an adjunct professor at UW-Green Bay.

Evers appointed Nixon to the Board of Regents in 2024 for a term scheduled to run through May 2031. His appointment had not yet been confirmed by the Wisconsin Senate.

Evers said he plans to leave the seat vacant so Gov.-elect David Crowley can appoint Nixon's replacement after taking office in January.