BY CRAIG FREILICH
North Country This Week

POTSDAM – SUNY Potsdam’s business administrator has resigned and “will be leaving the college to pursue other interests,” according to a statement from President Kirstin Esterberg’s office.

The resignation of Vice President for Business Affairs Eric Johnston-Ortiz was made public today in an announcement to the campus from Pres. Esterberg.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Eric for his service to the College,” Esterberg said.

While his resignation was not mentioned in the president’s communication, it was confirmed by college officials that Johnston-Ortiz submitted his resignation before leaving the position.

The statement said that Assistant University Financial Analyst Megan Hazen will serve as interim director of business affairs until another administrator is appointed to fill he office while the search for a new permanent business administrator is found.

“We will initiate a national search for a new Vice President for Business Affairs in the spring semester, and I will update the campus on that process as soon as a search committee is charged,” Esterberg’s announcement to the campus community said.

Esterberg will work with the college’s Faculty Senate Chair Blair Madore “on the process to elect representatives from Faculty Senate” to the search committee.

Esterberg also announced some temporary changes to the reporting structure in light of the absence of a vice president for business affairs.