Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is calling on Cornell University President David Skorton to take action regarding statements made by Assistant Dean Joseph Scaffido about terrorist groups like Hamas. Scaffido said he would welcome the terrorist organizations to the Cornell campus. Cornell received $156 million in state funds for operating expenses to manage its agricultural education programs.

“Cornell University President David Skorton must acknowledge that there is a real problem if his staff does not understand the serious danger of saying groups like Hamas would be welcome on the campus,” said Blankenbush. “I encourage him to discipline this employee for his thoughtless comments regarding these terrorist groups. Certainly discussion and training should be implemented to educate staff about significant and important global matters, especially relating to terrorist groups. Until those important discussions happen, state funds should be withheld.”

Cornell receives state money to operate several agriculture programs, research and community-based support programs known as Cornell Cooperative Extension. The 2015 fiscal year budget gave the university $156 million in operating funds.