ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The State University of New York Friday appointed Jim Malatras, a former top advisor to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, as chancellor of the 64-campus public college system.
Malatras succeeds Kristina Johnson, who will take over as president of Ohio State University Sept. 1.
“I am a proud product of the SUNY system, having earned my undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees from SUNY institutions,” said Malatras, who will be the first SUNY graduate to lead the system.
Malatras, 42, was previously vice chancellor and a senior advisor to Chancellor Emeritus Nancy Zimpher, helping to oversee administrative cost cutting in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, SUNY said. He has been president of SUNY Empire State College for a year.
The appointment by the Board of Trustees comes as a challenging new semester gets under way for the system’s 415,000 students, many of whom face a mix of remote and in-person learning amid the continued coronavirus threat that shut down campuses in March.
But the lack of a national search was criticized by the board’s college faculty representatives, who said a traditional broader search would have led to a diverse slate of candidates. Following the vote, the faculty representatives issued a no-confidence resolution in the board’s politically appointed members, most of whom were appointed by Cuomo, a Democrat.
Malatras has held several high-ranking positions under Cuomo, including director of state operations.
SUNY said the appointment avoided a long and costly process at a time of serious fiscal challenges.
“Higher education is facing a critical moment in our history amplified by a pandemic that has nearly paralyzed our nation, and now, more than ever, we need a visionary leader and one with deep financial and operational expertise to face our challenges head on, and that is exactly what we have with Dr. Malatras,” SUNY Chairman Merryl Tisch and Vice Chairman Cesar Perales said in a statement.
Malatras asked for a 25 percent pay cut, SUNY said, and will receive a salary of $450,000 and a $60,000 housing allowance. He has asked that the remaining $170,000 go to programs to increase faculty diversity and aide underrepresented students.
The appointment takes effect Aug. 31.
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