In addition, Pataki named banking executive Erland E. Kailbourne as vice chair of the Board.

In accepting Salerno's resignation, Pataki said, "I am particularly grateful to Mr. Salerno for his efforts at keeping a steady hand on the university during his tenure as chairman and for his role in the unanimously adopted recommendations contained in Rethinking SUNY."

The governor added, "I am pleased that Mr. Egan and Mr. Kailbourne, who have been instrumental as new board members, have agreed to take on this challenge. They will help implement my vision to transform New York's public higher education system into one that is more accessible and cost efficient."

SUNY Chancellor Thomas A. Bartlett noted that news of Salerno's resignation from the Board of Trustees was received "with great regret."

"Frederic V. Salerno has brought to the Board of Trustees a depth of experience in the management of large complex organizations, an understanding and appreciation of public education and a rock solid commitment to providing access to quality in public higher education," Bartlett said. "He will be missed as both a leader and friend."

He praised the appointments of Egan and Kailbourne. "They will provide committed leadership for the board through the critical phase of implementing the goals enunciated in the planning document Rethinking SUNY," Bartlett said.

Egan, an attorney, formerly served as vice chair of the board. In that capacity, he was a member of the Rethinking SUNY steering committee and chair of the Rethinking SUNY structure committee.

"I am grateful to Gov. Pataki for the confidence he has shown me by appointing me to chair of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York," said Egan. "Today, with nearly 400,000 students pursuing an education at the State Universities, we owe it to them, to their parents and to the taxpayers of our state to make certain that the education we provide is of the highest quality."

Egan is on the board of the United Hospital Medical Center, an affiliate of The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center. From 1985 to 1992 he served as a member of the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, including the New York City Transit Authority, Long Island Railroad and Metro North. He was a trustee of Marymount College from 1983 to 1988.

Kailbourne, a 1961 graduate of SUNY at Alfred, is chair and chief executive officer of Fleet Bank in Albany. He is on the board of the University at Albany Foundation and is director of the New York Business Development Corporation.

"As a State University graduate, it is an honor for me to serve as vice chairman of the board and to help ensure that the students today and those in the future get the best education New York has to offer," Kailbourne said.