SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras.

State University of New York Chancellor James Malatras has become another casualty of the tarnished administration of former state Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

In a letter sent to Dr. Merryl Tisch, chairman of the SUNY board of trustees, Malatras announces his final day will be Jan. 14. “The recent events surrounding me over the past week have become a distraction over the important work that needs to be accomplished as SUNY emerges from COVID-19,” Malatras wrote. “I believe deeply in an individual’s ability to evolve, change and grow, but I also believe deeply in SUNY and would never want to be an impediment to its success.”

After receiving the letter of resignation, the SUNY board offered this response: “We want 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’s history — and Jim’s leadership and collaboration with our faculty and staff have allowed our institution to continue to thrive and serve our nearly 400,000 students at 64 campuses across our state safely and in person. He has been a champion for our students, for access, for equity, and for deeper public investment in this great institution. The entire board expresses our gratitude for his dedication and leadership.”

United University Professions President Fred Kowal also issued the following statement in response to the resignation.

“Today’s announcement by Chancellor Malatras will allow us to move forward. Despite the turmoil of the last couple of weeks, UUP’s focus remains on delivering resources and support for our members, our students, and our patients across New York. We thank Chancellor Malatras for his work over the last year and a half, especially leading SUNY’s COVID response. We hope the Board of Trustees will maintain a collaborative partnership and join us in advocating for the SUNY system as we move into a crucial legislative session. As UUP did in the summer of 2020, we call on the Board of Trustees and Gov. Hochul to conduct a nationwide search for a new chancellor. This search must put a priority on candidates of diversity.

“Finally, the time is now for the SUNY Board of Trustees to work with UUP and the other unions representing SUNY employees to develop a systemwide, enforceable workplace civility policy to better ensure that our members can work in environments free from toxic and bullying behavior.”

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 allegations 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.”

Malatras took the position of chancellor in August 2020.