The leader of NYSUT's affiliate at the State University of New York praised the addition of Carl Hayden and H. Carl McCall to the SUNY Board of Trustees.

The state Senate's recent confirmation of the two men "gave SUNY the priority it deserves," said William Scheuerman, president of United University Professions. UUP represents academic and professional faculty at SUNY.

Hayden, who served on the state Board of Regents for 12 years — including seven as chancellor — was designated by Gov. Spitzer to chair the 17-member SUNY board.

"Carl Hayden's confirmation as chairman will set the board on an active course toward finding a new, permanent chancellor," Scheuerman said.

SUNY has been without a chancellor since John Ryan resigned in May.

Hayden is a former director of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

A former state comptroller and three-term state senator, McCall is a past president of the New York City Board of Education. He co-chairs the Public Higher Education Conference Board, a coalition of 14 organizations that support the state's public higher education system.

Scheuerman, vice chairman of the higher ed conference board, said McCall would be a "strong advocate" for all SUNY students.

"He understands the critical need to ensure access to quality public higher education for an ever-increasing student population," Scheuerman said.

Hayden and McCall replace board members Candace de Russy and Teresa Santiago, whose terms have expired.

As chairman, Hayden succeeds Thomas Egan, who will continue as a trustee until 2013.

"Chairman Hayden and Trustee McCall bring collective intellect, experience and depth of character that will dramatically advance SUNY," Spitzer said in response to the Senate's Oct. 22 confirmation vote.