SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras announces resignation following ‘toxic’ work environment accusations

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) —Chancellor of the State University of New York system Jim Malatras announced his resignation Thursday. It follows accusations he contributed to a toxic work environment, and calls for his resignation.

In a letter obtained by News10NBC, Malatras acknowledged "the recent events" surrounding him, calling the news "a distraction." His resignation will take effect on Jan.14, 2022.

"I believe deeply in an individual’s ability to evolve, change and grow," Malatras wrote. "But I also believe deeply in SUNY and would never want to be an impediment to its success."

Letter to Chairman 12.9 by News10NBC on Scribd

Malatras, once a top aide to ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo, is facing growing scrutiny after the release of text messages showing he mocked one of Cuomo’s accusers, Lindsey Boylan. Additionally, Malatras could be heard berating an administrative employee in an audio recording from 2017 obtained by the Albany-Times Union. He is heard calling the employee "a misery."

Just this week, SUNY’s University Faculty Senate (UFS) Tuesday released a statement, criticizing SUNY’s Board of Trustees and called for an independent investigation into his leadership. Last week, Malatras said he apologized to Boylan but Boylan says, she received no apology. SUNY student government leaders also called for the board to remove him if he doesn’t resign.

In his letter, Malatras went on to talk about his successes in the role.

Governor Kathy Hochul was asked about Malatras during her weekly COVID-19 briefing and whether she "called for" his resignation. Hochul says she did have a conversation with the Chair of the SUNY Board of Trustees and indicated we need to be focused on the future of SUNY, but says she doesn’t publicly call for resignations.