St. Bonaventure University is a Roman Catholic University in the Franciscan tradition. The essential part of the mission of the Church is the promotion and protection of the rights and dignity of all people – especially those who are most vulnerable and those who cannot fully care for themselves.
ALL MENTORS AND STAFF RELATED TO SBU’S BONA BUDDIES PROGRAM MUST COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE STATE AND LOCAL LAWS REGARDING INCIDENTS OF ACTUAL OR SUSPECTED MISCONDUCT AND DIOCESAN POLICY REGARDING PHYSICAL/SEXUAL MISCONDUCT.
1. MANDATED REPORTERS – Are those who are required by civil law to report suspected abuse. New York law now makes it clear that EVERYONE is considered to be a mandated reporter.
Those designated as mandated reporters MUST report suspected abuse. This is a civil law and could result in legal implications for the reporter if not followed. Mandated reporters MUST inform Robert Donius, SBU vice president for University Ministries, when a report is made, who, with Nick Goodell, Bona Buddies director, will inform SBU’s Office of Human Resources and all other appropriate parties.
2. MENTORS – All mentors are responsible to report a reasonable suspicion of abuse. Nick will be with you and walk you through it.
Mentors and tutors need to be aware of signs of possible abuse. Mentors have helped stop children from being abused. To that end, mentors must take the two (2) hour Child Abuse Prevention course offered through SBU’S Education Department once during their first year as a mentor. Upon completion of this course, mentors will be certified and registered with the State Education Department and receive an ID number that can be used for other Big Brother/Sister programs.
Mentors need to register for the following FREE Child Abuse Prevention class offered by SBU’s Education Department:
EDU 099 (dates and place to be announced)
Mentors will be notified of additional classes as they are announced. Mentors take these courses to protect themselves, the children they work with and the Bona Buddies Program. Mentors who are unable to take these or comparable courses within their first year cannot be allowed to participate in the Bona Buddies Program as mentors.
3. MENTOR/TUTOR SUSPECTED OF ABUSE – If a mentor/tutor or University Ministries staff person is suspected of abuse, the following procedure should be followed:
- The supervisor of the person suspecting the abuse (in this case Nick Goodell) MUST be notified.
- The director (Nick Goodell) informs the director of the Center for Communty Engagement, Larry Sorokes.
- If the director (Nick Goodell) is the person under suspicion, the director for the Center of Community Engagement (Larry Sorokes) MUST be informed.
- The team leader (Larry) contacts SBU’s Human Resource Department and the vicar of Campus Ministry for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. (Roman Catholic diocesan policy requires that the bishop’s office be notified as soon as possible if the allegation is made against a church/diocesan-related employee or volunteer.)
- After a verbal report of the incident, a written report should be prepared as soon as possible for SBU’s Human Resource department and sent to the vicar of Campus Ministry.
- St. Bonaventure University’s Department of Human Resources will investigate the situation. The vicar of Campus Ministry will likely also investigate the situation. Appropriate parties will be informed on a “need to know” basis.
As an institution of academic learning and personal formation, St. Bonaventure University is concerned about the safety of children and other vulnerable individuals. It is also concerned about the abuser. Assistance and counseling will be offered to the abuser and he or she may be removed from his/her position or ministry.