4 February 2022: Student Group Calls for SUNY to Claw Back Cuomo Crony Malatras' Golden Parachute

UAlbany students call for ex-SUNY chancellor to be stripped of severance pay

A student group is calling for the State University of New York (SUNY) to claw back the golden parachute payout Andrew M. Cuomo's crony, James Malatras, pocketed when he agreed to resign as SUNY's chancellor after his toxic behavior toward co-workers was revealed.

Student leaders at ex-State University of New York Chancellor James Malatras' alma mater are asking the SUNY board of trustees to cut his "golden parachute" cord.

The University at Albany Student Senate approved a resolution Wednesday night calling for Malatras to be stripped of his severance package and for the funds to be reinvested in the public university system, according to the document obtained by the Times Union.

Malatras "did not resign for 'a good reason' as described in typical labor terms for severance packages;" in fact, he "actively worked against student interests multiple times in his term" as chancellor, the document claims.

The resolution, overwhelmingly approved by the body, calls on the SUNY Student Assembly representing all 64 SUNY campuses to consider taking up a similar measure. Bradley Hershenson, president of the SUNY Student Assembly and a member of the SUNY board of trustees, said student leaders are reviewing the matter.

Malatras, who officially stepped down on Jan. 14, is set to receive a year of paid leave at a salary of $450,000 followed by a tenured faculty appointment at Empire State College with a starting annual salary of $186,600, according to the finalized separation agreement.

Malatras' "golden parachute" package was approved by SUNY's Board of Trustees, which is largely composed of other cronies Andrew M. Cuomo appointed to their position on the board. A strong argument can be made that these politicos put the interests of one of their own ahead those of the students whom SUNY is supposed to serve, which may accounts for why the measure passed in the University of Albany's student body with such "overwhelming" approval.

The bigger problem however is the continued presence of so many Cuomo cronies on SUNY's board. Cleaning house at SUNY will mean the removal of these individuals from their appointed positions.