Malatras to step down as SUNY chancellor

ALBANY, N.Y. — Saying “the recent events surrounding me over the past week have become a distraction,” SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras on Thursday resigned from the position, effective Jan. 14, 2022.

Malatras sent word of his resignation in a Thursday letter to Merryl Tisch, chairman of the SUNY board of trustees.

In documents pertaining to the sexual-harassment probe of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, it was revealed that Malatras had conversations that included comments about Lindsey Boylan, a Cuomo accuser and a former Malatras co-worker that used language involving an expletive.

The New York State Attorney General’s office last week released the documents on the sexual-harassment probe of Cuomo.

New York State Assemblywoman Deborah Glick (D–Manhattan), who chairs the chamber’s higher education committee, on Monday issued a statement saying she believes it is “most appropriate” for Malatras to resign or the SUNY board of trustees to remove him from the role.

Malatras started his duties as the system’s 14th chancellor on Aug. 31, 2020, succeeding Kristina Johnson, who is now serving as president of Ohio State University.

Malatras — the first SUNY graduate to become the system’s chancellor — had been serving as president of SUNY Empire State College. In the months prior to his appointment, he appeared frequently with Cuomo during his COVID-19 television briefings, acting as an advisor to Cuomo through the process.

In a Thursday statement, the SUNY board of trustees thanked Malatras for what it called “extraordinary service to the entire SUNY system.”

“The past two years have been among the most trying in SUNY’s history — and Jim’s leadership and collaboration with our faculty and staff have allowed our institution to continue to thrive and serve our nearly 400,000 students at 64 campuses across our state safely and in person. He has been a champion for our students, for access, for equity, and for deeper public investment in this great institution. The entire board expresses our gratitude for his dedication and leadership.”

The SUNY board on Dec. 3 issued a statement backing Malatras as calls for his resignation began to intensify.

Fred Kowal, president of United University Professions (UUP), on Thursday said Malatras’ resignation will “allow us to move forward.”

“Despite the turmoil of the last couple of weeks, UUP’s focus remains on delivering resources and support for our members, our students, and our patients across New York. We thank Chancellor Malatras for his work over the last year and a half, especially leading SUNY’s COVID response. We hope the Board of Trustees will maintain a collaborative partnership and join us in advocating for the SUNY system as we move into a crucial legislative session.”

Kowal also believes “the time is now” for the SUNY board of trustees to work with UUP and the other unions representing SUNY employees “to develop a systemwide, enforceable workplace civility policy to better ensure that our members can work in environments free from toxic and bullying behavior.”