St. Bonaventure University strives to provide a place of study and work free of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Consistent with its mission, in which the dignity and worth of all members of the University community are respected, it is expected that administrators, faculty, students and staff will treat one another with respect.
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:
"Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly a term or condition of any individual's employment;
"Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or;
"Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work/study performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or study environment."
SEXUAL ASSAULT:
The St. Bonaventure Community condemns sexual abuse and acquaintance or stranger rape; these actions constitute violation of the Student Living Standards as well as New York State Law. Furthermore, as an institution dedicated to human rights and the sanctity of the individual, St. Bonaventure University deplores the exploitation of a fellow human being for the selfish purposes or pleasures of another.
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Rape: Forcing someone to have sexual intercourse, either vaginal, oral or anal. The act may be perpetrated by a person who is either a stranger or acquaintance of the victim. Specifically, if a person is forced to have sexual intercourse or if the person is unable to consent, the behavior of the perpetrator is considered rape. The force necessary can be any physical force or threat of physical force, which places the victim in fear of injury or death. The perpetrator does not need to use a weapon or to beat the victim to make the victim fearful of injury or death. Persons are considered unable to consent if they are temporarily incapable of appraising or controlling their conduct due to the influence of alcohol or drugs, injected or administered, without their consent or physically helpless because they are unconscious or otherwise physically unable to communicate consent or are mentally defective because they are suffering from a mental disease which renders them incapable of appraising the nature of their conduct. Having intercourse with a person under such circumstances is considered rape.
Sexual Abuse - Sexual Abuse is forcing a person to engage in any sexual contact other than sexual intercourse, or engaging in sexual contact with one legally unable to consent to contact under the circumstances described in the above definition of rape, is to be considered sexual abuse.
St. Bonaventure University offers prevention education efforts to promote sexual assault awareness through the following programs:
A. STUDENT PROGRAMS
1. Education programs - sexual assault/alcohol and other drugs
a. Presentations to all students through residence hall programs.
2. Counseling Center outreach programs in residence halls.
a Self-Esteem Issues
b. Healthy Relationships
c. Violence in Relationships
3. Campus-wide speakers on related topics
B. STAFF TRAINING
1. In-service and on-going meetings with the following:
a. Residence Life
b. Health Services
c. Security Services
Victims of rape or sexual assault should contact a close friend or relative for support. This is not the time to be alone. The victim should also seek immediate medical attention. Do not shower or change your clothing!! Physical evidence is very important! All victims should be encouraged to report all incidents of sexual assault or rape to appropriate staff persons. All staff persons receiving information or allegations should respond with the utmost sensitivity and care for the victim affected. Special attention should be given to safeguard privacy and confidentiality for all persons involved in the incident/alleged incident. Try to help the victim record as many details as possible regarding person(s), place, care, etc., that will help the apprehension of the alleged assailant.
All administrators, faculty, staff and students are subject to these policies. The University will also take constructive action against non-members of the University community who are subject to these policies. Individuals who violate this policy are subject to discipline up to and including discharge, expulsion or other appropriate sanctions. In response to violations of student living standards, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, rape and sexual assault, as well as other serious or complex criminal matters, both criminal and University enforcement and judicial resources should be utilized.
Through the office of the vice provost for student life, the security office or counseling center, the University will support and encourage any student(s) who chooses to exercise his or her right to file criminal charges against another individual(s). St. Bonaventure University reserves the right, as a separate jurisdiction, to conduct judicial proceedings according to the procedures outlined in the Student Handbook either before, during or at the conclusion of the extra-university criminal proceedings.
As soon as possible, contact one of the following services:
Student Health Services - Doyle Hall, Phone 375-2626.
M.E.R.T. (Medical Emergency Response Team) - Contact through Security Services - Robinson Hall, Phone 375-2525.
Olean General Hospital Emergency Room, Phone 373-2600.
The rape or sexual assault should be reported to campus security or the police. This is important even if you don't plan to prosecute. Consider contacting a counselor. A counselor can be reached at any time through the Security Services Offices, 375-2525. Remember, you did not deserve or ask to be assaulted. You were the victim of a violent crime. Residence Life and Security are always available to assist you in finding the resources needed.
St. Bonaventure University offers the following counseling services for victims of sexual assault:
St. Bonaventure University Counseling Center, Room 231 Reilly Center, Phone 375-2310. Office Hours are M-F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (after hours a counselor can be reached through Security Services at 375-2525).
Catt. County Community Action/Victim's Services Division, Phone 945-1041. The Catt. County Community Action/Victim's Services Division offers a domestic violence program, rape/sexual assault program and AVOW (Aid to Victims or Witnesses) program. Anyone needing assistance can call the 24-hour Hotline at 945-3970.
Olean Counseling Center, Phone 373-8040
Through the offices of University Ministries, Health Services (which provides assistance to members of the University community in contacting the State Health Department or any other off-campus agency to assist students), and the University Counseling Center will, whenever possible, offer emotional support to the person(s) filing criminal charges or who are victims of sex offenses. Subject to available space, the office of Residence Life in conjunction with the Housing Office and appropriate academic department, will grant victims of sex offenses the option of relocating their campus housing assignment or reasonable academic program adjustments.
In cases of an alleged sexual offense, the accuser and the accused will have the opportunity to hear all the evidence against them and will have the right to present evidence on their own behalf as detailed in the student handbook under the responsibility of the student(s), and the sanctions imposed will be made available to both the accuser and the accused by the judicial hearing officer or the chair of the University Judicial Board.
All University disciplinary hearings are "closed."
Students will have the opportunity to hear evidence presented against them and will have the opportunity to present evidence on their own behalf and confront all witnesses according to the guidelines established by the Administrative Hearing Officer.
All students are afforded the opportunity to have a University advisor present during a student disciplinary hearing. A University advisor must be a full-time member of the staff, faculty or administration.
Following are the St. Bonaventure disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed in cases of rape, acquaintance rape, or other sex offenses.
A fine up to $500
Community service up to 60 hours
Removal from University housing or relocation on campus
Required program of drug testing
Residence Hall Probation (Student will ordinarily be removed from University housing if found guilty of any violation of the Student Living Standards during the probationary period)
Suspension from the room selection process
Suspension from participation in campus activities, including but not limited to intramurals, athletics, student leadership posts, extracurricular events, etc.
University disciplinary probation (Student will ordinarily be suspended or expelled if found guilty of any violation of the Student Living Standards during the probationary period.)
University suspension
Expulsion
Megan's Law
Megan's law generally provides for some type of public notification of the whereabouts of convicted sex offenders after their release from prison. You can find information regarding sex crime offenders at the following:
Megan's Law Hotline
1-900-288-3838
Monday- Friday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
$.50 charge per call
For more information on Megan's Law
Attorney General's Office 1-800-771-7755
Allegany Police Department
716-373-0873 Monday- Friday, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.