UB president responds to Executive Order #144 prohibiting travel to state of Indiana

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- University at Buffalo President Satish K. Tripathi has released the following statement regarding Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive order banning state-funded or state-sponsored travel to the state of Indiana:

"On Tuesday, March 31, 2015, New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued Executive Order #144 prohibiting state-funded or state-sponsored travel to the state of Indiana. The ban, which is effective immediately and will remain in effect until it is lifted by the Governor’s office, has been issued in response to Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act on the grounds that this legislation creates the potential for sanctioned discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals. 

"The University at Buffalo is committed to fostering an academic community characterized by the respectful, fair, and equitable treatment of all its members, and strongly shares the Governor’s conviction that “the exercise of religious freedom should not be a justification for discrimination based upon sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, or other protected classes.” 

"Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order #144, and in solidarity with its stated intent to “promote fairness, protect the welfare of the citizens of the state of New York, and combat discrimination,” unless specifically exempted by Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order #144, University at Buffalo employees and students are prohibited from conducting state-funded or state-sponsored travel to the state of Indiana while this ban remains in effect. This UB travel ban is also in compliance with Chancellor Zimpher’s statement issued earlier today requiring all SUNY campuses to adhere to Executive Order #144.

"Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter, and please share this announcement with faculty, staff, and students in your respective areas as appropriate."