Dr. Jim Malatras has resigned from his position as Chancellor of the State University of New York on Thursday after facing calls for his resignation. Malatras has been a supporter of former Governor Mario Cuomo and reportedly tried to smear one of Cuomo’s sexual harassment accusers during the investigation of Cuomo’s activities two years ago.
The Times Union said Malatras resigned to prevent from being a distraction. The newspaper also reported that Malatras berated and insulted an employee while President of the Rockefeller Institute of Government.
Malatras was named the 14th chancellor of The State University of New York on August 21, 2020. He was previously President of SUNY’s Empire State College before becoming Chancellor. Malatras received his Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D. all from the University at Albany.
The Board of Trustees of SUNY had even supported Malatras by releasing a statement last week:
Dr. Jim Malatras has been an outstanding leader of SUNY through one of the most trying times in our history and has the support of the SUNY Board of Trustees. He’s acknowledged he made a mistake, taken full responsibility for it, and apologized appropriately. He is fully focused on the critical work of keeping our facilities open and our students and faculty safe through the ongoing pandemic.
