§ 1677. Dormitory Authority. A board, to be known as the "Dormitory Authority," is hereby created. Such board shall be a body corporate and politic constituting a public benefit corporation. Such board shall consist of the commissioner of education, the commissioner of health, the comptroller or one member appointed by him or her who shall serve until his or her successor is appointed, the director of the budget, one member appointed by the temporary president of the senate, one member appointed by the speaker of the assembly, and five members to be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, for a term of three years. The governor shall also fill any vacancy which may occur by reason of the death, disqualification, resignation or removal of any member theretofore appointed. The commissioner of education, the commissioner of health and the director of the budget each may appoint a person or persons to represent such commissioner or director, respectively, at all meetings of such board from which such commissioner or director, as the case may be, may be absent. Any such representative so designated shall have the power to attend and to vote at any meeting of such board from which the officer so designating him as a representative is absent with the same force and effect as if the officer designating him were present and voting. The powers of the board shall be vested in and exercised by a majority of the whole number of the members thereof. The members of the board shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement of their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties. The governor shall appoint a chair from among the members appointed by him or her who shall serve as such until his or her successor is appointed. At the first meeting of the board and at the first meeting thereof in each fiscal year thereafter the members of the board shall choose from their number a vice-chair and a secretary. The authority may also use the facilities, employees, records and equipment of the state department of education with the consent of the regents.