BUFFALO, N.Y. — Support for SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras began to erode this week following new testimony the attorney general's office released.

In it were texts revealing Malatras disparaged Lindsey Boylan, a former aide of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and one of the women who accused Cuomo of sexual harassment.

Assemblywoman Monica Wallace, D-Lancaster, among the people calling for the chancellor's resignation, said it was not one specific statement or action that led to her decision.

"Our chancellor was in the mix when all of that was going on and he did not speak out. He either participated in it or he turned a blind eye, neither of which is acceptable in my mind," Wallace said.

She and other Western New York lawmakers spoke at press conference Thursday in support of increased funding for SUNY. State Sen. Sean Ryan, D-Buffalo, said in order for that to happen, the system needs to begin to decentralize so the next chancellor and college presidents can act with less direct influence from the governor.

"I think the SUNY chancellor resigning should be put right in the rearview mirror and we have to look out the front windshield to figure out what we are going to do with SUNY," Ryan said.

Cuomo appointed the vast majority of the current SUNY trustees. The head of the union that represents SUNY faculty and staff, Fred Kowal, said he was surprised by Malatras' resignation because that board had expressed its full support for the chancellor.

"Because of the continuing turmoil, quite frankly, I welcome it," the United University Professions president said.

Even Thursday, trustee leadership continued to thank and compliment Malatras for his service.

"We are grateful that he was here," Merryl Tisch, SUNY Board of Trustees Chair, said. "We are grateful for the work and we wish him every success in this life as he has made a difficult and complicated decision."

Lawmakers and union leaders are now calling on those same trustees to conduct a national search for a new chancellor and carefully vet each candidate.

"We must get the best candidate possible and preferably one who comes from a community of color that has been so underrepresented in SUNY previously," Kowal said.

In his letter to the board, Malatras said it has been his privilege to serve as chancellor but the events surrounding him have become a distraction over the important work that needs to be accomplished.