The State Senate passed Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky’s bill, S1736B, ensuring the objectivity of SUNY and CUNY Trustees by limiting the appointments to those who do not work directly for the Governor or Mayor.
The Governor appoints the 15 SUNY Trustees. The CUNY Board has 10 members appointed by the Governor and five by the Mayor. The legislation permits appointment of classified civil service employees but not exempt positions under the supervision of the Governor or Mayor. In the past, Governors have appointed high-ranking individuals and Mayors have appointed deputy mayors.
“This bill eliminates appointments to the SUNY and CUNY Boards of Trustees of people who owe their jobs to the person appointing them, whether the Governor or Mayor, and ensures independence and objectivity,” Sen. Stavisky said. “People serving as a Trustee should be accountable to the institution, not to the Governor or Mayor.”
