Trustees of the State University of New York took the unprecedented step Friday of formally voting down the nomination of Maria Conzatti to lead Nassau Community College, escalating a fight that’s lasted more than three years.

The SUNY trustees unanimously approved a resolution that, without further comment, stated: "The appointment of Dr. Maria Conzatti as President of Nassau Community College, by the Nassau Community College Board of Trustees, be, and hereby is, disapproved."

A SUNY official said this was the first time the trustees have formally rejected a presidential nominee. The vote was 12-0 with three absences.

Later Friday, after the vote, SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said NCC needed to begin a formal search for a new president.

"Consistent with this vote, I am writing bec

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