The push for the top official at the State University of New York to step down became a barrage in recent days, with state lawmakers, student and faculty organizations calling for his ouster. 

But Gov. Kathy Hochul, at least publicly, had remained neutral on whether Chancellor Jim Malatras should be ousted. On Wednesday evening, that apparently changed. 

Hochul on Thursday afternoon confirmed reports, including in The New York Post, she had reached out to SUNY Board of Trustees Chairwoman Meryl Tisch in "an important conversation" about the direction of the state university system. 

"It was focused on the SUNY system and how to ensure we have the focus that we need, how it needs the undistracted attention that we need to make it the world class institution that it should be," Hochul said. 

Malatras has been fighting to keep his job. He was facing a torrent of criticism for berating a staffer and that he disparaged a former official in the Cuomo administration that would later accuse ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment.  

"I think you will understand the position of the governor is to not to stand out and make proclimations and statements. I'm more inclined to work behind the scenes and focus on results," Hochul said at an unrelated news confernece in New York City.

Malatras continued to have his allies this week, including Tisch as well as the United University Professions, the labor union that represents many SUNY workers. 

"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," said Fred Kowal, the union's president. "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."