University at Buffalo Statement in Response to News Reports about NYPD Surveillance

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo has released a statement in response to an Associated Press report indicating that the New York City police department (NYPD) monitored the website postings of Muslim students at UB and several other colleges and universities.

The statement is as follows:

This was the first time that the university learned of this matter. University at Buffalo officials were not contacted by NYPD, and the university did not provide any information to the NYPD.

UB does not conduct this kind of surveillance, and, if asked, UB would not voluntarily cooperate with such a request.

As a public university, UB strongly supports the values of freedom of speech and assembly, freedom of religion, and a reasonable expectation of privacy.

UB welcomes students, faculty and staff from a wide range of diverse backgrounds. The university is committed to ensuring equal employment, educational opportunity, and equal access to services, programs, and activities without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, gender, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, veteran status, military status, domestic violence victim status, or ex-offender status.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.