 As president of Wesleyan University, Roth has garnered a controversial reputation in his actions as an administrator and academic.The Green Street Art Center, having opened in 2005, closed in 2017 at Roth's decision.As The Wesleyan Argus described it, "the Green Street Center has provided programming that many residents have found essential, from hip-hop, comedy, theater, and Shakespeare performance programs to a STEM summer camp for girls and a math training program for local teachers."