State Senator Patty Ritchie is hailing a decision by the State University’s Board of Trustees today to hold off on merging the leadership of Canton and Potsdam colleges.

Ritchie said she is pleased that the board will take more time to find ways to cut costs in a way, she said, that won’t threaten the North Country colleges’ independence.

“I am gratified that the board of trustees has decided to back off a plan to impose a single presidency for the Canton and Potsdam colleges, and to take a longer look to see if the cost savings we all agree are needed can be achieved in other ways,” Senator Ritchie said.

“This action means the future of leadership and of the colleges themselves is left squarely in the hands of the SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam communities—not Albany officials.

“I continue to believe that SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam each needs strong, independent leadership so that the colleges can continue to grow and provide the robust, quality higher education that students and families have come to value, and that have helped make these institutions such an important part of their host communities,” Ritchie said.

“An independent leader is essential to that growth and success, and I will continue to speak out and advocate for SUNY Canton’s independence, and will continue to work with SUNY administrators, faculty, staff and leaders in the community to make sure that these two colleges remain as vital and strong as they are today,” Ritchie said.

The board directed the two colleges to work together to find other ways to achieve cost savings. The college presidents were directed to report back in six months on how they will meet that goal.

Ritchie’s 48th Senate District includes western portions of St. Lawrence County including Canton and Ogdensburg.