N.Y. Educ. Law § 4304

§ 4304. Vacancies on board of visitors. In case of the declination of\nany member of such board of visitors to act under his appointment, or of\nthe occurrence of any other vacancy in the board not caused by\nexpiration of term, the governor shall forthwith appoint some suitable\nperson to fill such vacancy, and the member so appointed shall serve out\nthe term of his predecessor.\n