Conduct Issues & Complaints

The documents referenced on this page provide the text of codes and policies relating to student and nonstudent conduct at St. Bonaventure University.

If you have questions or need clarification on any of these resources, or if you seek guidance on any challenges or conflicts you may be experiencing, please contact university Ombuds Officer Dr. Gary Ostrower.

Conduct at St. Bonaventure University

The links below provide access to codes and policies relating to student and non-student conduct at St. Bonaventure University. The first form (Silent Witness Program) allows community members to report code violations to the proper authorities.

Silent Witness Reporting Form
This online form is used to report a crime or code violation. Access the form on the Safety & Security page.

Code of Conduct
Policies and procedures as they relate to student behavior, including the process for handling code violations.

Protection of Minors Policy
St. Bonaventure University is committed to the protection of minors on campus and during all University-sponsored events through a combination of formal policy, training, education and appropriate response to complaints and credible suspicion of abuse.

Discrimination & Harassment Policies & Procedures and Glossary This includes information about university policy, as well as the mechanisms for resolving complaints by use of the Committee on Discrimination and Harassment (CODAH), and the Advocacy Officers (see p. 7) who investigate charges of discrimination or harassment.

Contact an Advocacy Officer.

Governing Documents
This page directs the reader to more than 75 separate policies at SBU relating to academic and non-academic matters. The page includes subjects as varied as AIDS policy, casual dress policy, confidentiality and security, equal employment and educational opportunity, gender inclusive language, as well as academic integrity and academic dismissal, and student appeals.

Grievance Committee Procedures (from Governing Handbook)
The Grievance Committee addresses offenses identified by members of the SBU community. “An offense is a (i) violation of a policy, a procedure, or a less formal norm of operation, or (ii) an inequitable application of these policies, procedures, or norms.

Institutional Review Board
The board protects individuals involved in university-related research projects. (This link accessible only to those with access to the intranet site my.sbu.edu: SBU students, faculty and staff.)

Ombuds Office
The university ombuds officer hears complaints, seeks to solve routine problems, mediates disputes, and facilitates conflict resolution at SBU.

Diversity Action Committee
The committee assesses all aspects of diversity on campus, including academic and nonacademic issues related to racial, religious, ethnic, gender, and sexual orientation. The committee sponsors workshops to address diversity and makes recommendations to facilitate respect for differences. Contact: Professor Robert Amico, committee chair, at or 716-375-2292

Advocacy Officers

Advocacy officers investigate alleged violations of the university's Discrimination and Harassment Policy. They are responsible for making an assessment and recommending corrective measures.

Dr. Russell Woodruff, Associate Professor & Chair, Philosophy
Chair, Council on Discrimination and Harassment
(716) 375-2470
Send an email

Dr. Diana Lawrence-Brown, Associate Professor, School of Education
(716) 375-2165
Send an email

Dr. Kathy Zawicki, Assistant Professor of Sociology
(716) 375-2407
Send an email

Dr. Josiah Lambert, Associate Professor & Chair, Political Science
(716) 375-2659
Send an email

Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
SBU's policy regarding FERPA is found on pages 14-17 in the Code of Conduct (see link above)

Americans With Disabilities Act (1990)
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) Fact Sheet

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA Connection The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was amended in 1992 to make it consistent with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.

The Higher Educational Act
Reauthorized in 2008, this mandates information about university policies and services.

Title IX of Educational Act of 1972:
Letter from U.S. Department of Education, April 4, 2011: Title IX mandates equality in respect to university programs and facilities, including athletic facilities, for males and females. See also: Amendment of 1972.

SBU Title IX Flow Chart
Jeanne Clery Act of 1998 regarding security on campus: Text

We encourage students having concerns with their educational experiences or the quality of services they receive to share them with those in positions to help.

The following procedures are intended to provide structure for resolving these concerns. While these procedures do not provide an avenue for anonymous reports, the university reinforces its commitment to confidentiality. This information will only be shared with those in a position to help resolve the complaint or those responsible for tracking the progress of the resolution.

This policy is not a replacement for existing disciplinary procedures outlined in the Code of Conduct, Title IX procedures, or other existing appeals processes.

Most concerns should be handled directly through the department in which the issue originates.

Student concerns about a course, a faculty member, or issue directly related to instruction should be initially raised with the faculty member, the faculty member’s department chair, or the chair of the department where the issue originates. Should the concern fail to be addressed at that level, the issue should then be raised to the dean of the school from which the issue originates.
Student concerns with a staff member or a nonacademic policy or procedure should be initially raised directly with that staff member or a staff member in the area in which there is a policy or procedure complaint. If the complaint cannot be resolved at this level, the issues should be raised with the staff member’s direct supervisor. If the concern is still not addressed, it should then be taken to the director of the area.
The university ombuds officer is always an option for finding resolution to conflicts or other concerns involving students, faculty and staff. The ombuds officer focuses on conflict resolution and problem solving.
Student concerns about other issues related to student life may be raised through the Student Government Association. Students may contact SGA to determine who their representative is, or may seek assistance through SGA executives.
Students having concerns or grievances about another student should consult policies and procedures outlined in the student Code of Conduct.

Concerns not resolved after following the steps outlined above can then be lodged as formal complaints to the appropriate executive officer utilizing our Student Complaint Form. Students submitting a complaint through this form should expect to hear back within 14 class days of submission.

Students who follow this procedure and still believe their concerns have not been adequately addressed have the right to register their issue with the New York State Department of Education. The state DOE does not intervene in matters concerning an individual’s grades or examination results, as grading is the prerogative of the institution’s faculty. The state DOE will not accept anonymous complaints or complaints not processed through all available institutional avenues.

Dr. Gary Ostrower

University Ombuds Officer

(716) 375-2553

(607) 871-2999 or (607) 687-9353

Send an email

Butler Hall 1B

Office Hours: Tuesdays, 1-4:30 p.m., and by appointment