SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras resigns amid criticism

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Jim Malatras, Chancellor of the State University of New York system, tendered his resignation Thursday after a week of controversy over his alleged “toxic management style” and old text messages showing Malatras mocking a former colleague .

“The recent events that have surrounded me over the past week have become a distraction from the important work that must be done as SUNY emerges from COVID-19,” Malatras wrote in his letter of resignation to the board of administration of SUNY. “I deeply believe in an individual’s ability to evolve, change and grow, but I also deeply believe in SUNY and I would never want to be an obstacle to their success.”

The board of directors accepted Malatras’ resignation, effective January 14, Thursday.

“We would like to thank Dr. Jim Malatras for his extraordinary service to the entire SUNY System. The past two years have been among the most trying in SUNY history – and Jim’s leadership and his collaboration with our faculty and staff have allowed our institution to continue to thrive, ”the board wrote in a statement. “He has been a champion for our students, for access, for equity and for greater public investment in this great institution. The entire Board of Directors expresses our gratitude for his dedication and leadership. “

Malatras’ short tenure in the state system of 64 institutions was punctuated by controversy. The board selected Malatras in August 2020 without a national search process, prompting a vote of no confidence in the board from the system’s faculty members. Critics of the appointment complained that Malatras had little experience in higher education and that his close relationship with then New York Governor Andrew Cuomo would cede too much influence to the administration. .

A former aide to Cuomo, Malatras has repeatedly landed in hot water because of his relationship with the now disgraced politician. In July, Malatras defended a New York State Department of Health report that effectively absolved the Cuomo administration of responsibility for the increase in COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes in New York. York. The chancellor was also asked by investigators in September about the number of working hours he spent editing and verifying Cuomo’s personal memoirs.

Two weeks ago, New York Attorney General Letitia James posted old text messages showing Malatras mocking Lindsey Boylan, a former Cuomo assistant, after she tweeted about a toxic work environment in the governor’s office. A few years ago. At the time, Malatras was moving from president of the Rockefeller Institute in SUNY to president of Empire State College.

“Let’s free some of his crazy emails!” Malatras texted a group of current and former Cuomo employees after a colleague suggested Boylan was using drugs. Later, after Boylan and Malatras tweeted in reference to each other, Malatras texted the group, “Malatras to Boylan: go yourself.

In the days following the release of the texts, dozens of SUNY students, staff and other politicians and New York residents called for Malatras’ resignation or removal from the board. The board of trustees and United University Professions (UUP), the state-wide union of SUNY professors, supported the chancellor. Malatras apologized for what he said in the texts.

The Albany Times Union, which reported closely on the Chancellor, published an article on Tuesday revealing that Malatras berated and insulted an employee while he was president of the Rockefeller Institute. In a statement to the Times Union, Malatras said he should have been “more measured” in his interaction with the employee. A system human resources investigation into the incident at the time determined that the allegations of regular verbal harassment by Malatras were “unfounded”, but a handful of anonymous employees told The Times Union about the alleged “management style.” toxic “from Malatras.

UUP, which represents more than 37,000 SUNY employees, said in a statement Thursday that Malatras’ resignation “will allow us to move forward.”

“Despite the turmoil of the past two weeks, UUP’s focus remains to provide resources and support to our members, students and patients across New York State. We thank Chancellor Malatras for his work over the past year and a half, especially leading SUNY’s COVID response, ”the union statement read. “We hope the Board of Directors will maintain a collaborative partnership and join us in championing the SUNY system as we enter a crucial legislative session.”

The union also called on the board to conduct a nationwide search for Malatras’ replacement and prioritize various candidates for the post.

A SUNY spokesperson did not respond to questions about who will serve as interim chancellor and whether the board will conduct a nationwide search for Malatras’ replacement.

The Members ‘Action Committee, a UUP faction that called for Malatras’ resignation, also released a statement Thursday.

“We are pleased to learn that Chancellor Malatras has resigned from the board of directors. As a central participant in the toxic and abusive work environment of former Governor Cuomo, he has never been a suitable candidate for Chancellor of SUNY, ”the statement read. “The fact that he got the job without the benefit of national research and without significant higher education experience shows how indebted the board was to the internal politics of the governor’s office and how much he cares little about us. who work, learn and teach in the system. We are proud to continue to stand in solidarity with the students, workers, parents, patients, teachers, professionals and staff of SUNY who called for his resignation, and in solidarity with the women who have come forward to share their experience of abuse under his supervision. . “

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