Trustees stand by Malatras amid calls for resignation
By CAROLYN THOMPSON
Leaders of New York’s public college system are standing behind Chancellor James Malatras, who has faced calls to resign after the release of text messages showing he mocked one of the women who later accused former Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment.
“He’s acknowledged he made a mistake, taken full responsibility for it, and apologized appropriately,” the State University of New York Board of Trustees said in a statement Friday night, following a written apology from Malatras. “He is fully focused on the critical work of keeping our facilities open and our students and faculty safe through the ongoing pandemic.
“Under Jim’s leadership, the SUNY system stayed open throughout the pandemic while other major state university systems across the country and colleges across New York closed and went fully remote. Working hand in hand with our faculty, staff, and students he implemented groundbreaking COVID protocols that led to the administration of 2.9 million COVID tests on campuses and nearly universal vaccination among faculty, students, and staff.
“As a result, SUNY has consistently had one of the lowest positivity rates in the country—far below the New York statewide rate. That work set the stage for SUNY classes to be 70 percent in person this semester—a number that will grow significantly in the new year.”
Malatras, a former top adviser to Cuomo, came under fire after Attorney General Letitia James made public transcripts and evidence from a monthslong probe of sexual harassment alle
gations that forced Cuomo from office. Cuomo has denied harassing anyone.
A text exchange involving Malatras and other Cuomo allies showed them mocking Lindsey Boylan, a former economic development official who was the first woman to publicly accuse Cuomo. Boylan, after leaving the administration, tweeted in 2019 that working in politics had been “a toxic and demoralizing experience.”
She had yet to go public with her sexual harassment allegations against the governor.
“Let’s release some of her cray emails,” Malatras texted, using slang for crazy.
After Boylan called him out in a series of tweets, Malatras texted to the group: “Malatras to Boylan: Go f__ yourself.”
The SUNY Student Assembly on Friday called for the trustees to remove
Malatras with a vote of no confidence.
“Allowing the chancellor to remain in place damages the reputation of the system, detracting from our education and devaluing
the degrees we are all working towards,” the group, which represents students in SUNY governance, said.
“Should the Chancellor choose not to do the right thing and resign, we call on the Board of Trustees to remove him with a vote of no confidence at their next meeting, based on the concerns raised in our statement as well as those from the statements released by so many other organizations, policymakers, and influential figures across public higher education. Chancellor Malatras was approved by the Board of Trustees based on the influence of former Governor Cuomo and in spite of the objection of both the students and the faculty, and we have seen the negative outcome that this “process” created.
“Immediately following his resignation or removal, it is imperative that the SUNY Board of Trustees open a nationwide search process for the next Chancellor — a process that must incorporate student and faculty representation, involvement, and feedback and consider candidates of all backgrounds and all demographics.”
In a statement Friday, Malatras said he owed Boylan and the SUNY community an apology.
“Leadership in public service is a privilege and with it comes immense responsibility for upholding the values of professionalism, decency, and respect. I take that responsibility very seriously and in recent days it has been clear I have fallen short,” he wrote, calling his remarks “inappropriate, disrespectful and wrong.”
Boylan later tweeted that she had received no apology from Malatras.
“I’m glad he didn’t apologize because, based on his email, he continues to lie,” she said.
The trustees’ statement praised Malatras’ leadership of the 64-campus system through the pandemic since his appointment in August 2020.
“We have challenging days ahead and believe Jim Malatras, as chancellor of the State University of New York, remains the right leader to help us meet that challenge,” the statement said.
The New York State Public Employees Federation and United University Professions, unions which represent SUNY faculty and staff, also issued statements expressing support for Malatras.