For the purpose of the Bona Buddies Program, a “child” is anyone under the age of 19 receiving services from the Bona Buddies Program.
“Misconduct” is any intentional wrongdoing on behalf of the mentors and staff of the Bona Buddies Program. Misconduct includes but is not limited to: age inappropriate behavior, speech, dress; inappropriate setting or ignoring of boundaries; inappropriate exposure of children to tobacco, alcohol or illegal substances; inappropriate criticizing of St. Bonaventure University, the Bona Buddies Program or the child’s/children’s parents.
Under no circumstances are you to have your Bona Buddy in your dorm or room or townhouse (even if there are lots of people around). And remember that you, not your friends, are your buddy’s buddy.
Not honoring one’s obligations to the Bona Buddies Program is also considered an area of misconduct as it intentionally wrongs the child being mentored, the Bona Buddies Program and St. Bonaventure University.
Particular attention is given to physical/sexual misconduct in the Handbook and on this page.
Conduct Becoming a Mentor
You don’t have to be perfect but you do have to be present and wise. There are certain behaviors and living conditions that are acceptable for college students but are not helpful for small children. Before you invite buddies into situations, consider “is this helpful or harmful to my buddy’s healthy growth?” Mentors should not expose their buddies to anything that violates the University’s drug-free workplace/campus community policy; nor should they be exposed to explicit items such as fliers, posters, etc. Smoking, foul language, etc., around a buddy is prohibited. Be wise.
The term "reckless endangerment of a child" is used for situations where children are put in at-risk situations by the people caring for them. To put a child in a situation that would negatively impact the child is against the best wishes of everyone involved and could jeopardize the future of the entire program. Such behaviors are UNACCEPTABLE and WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the Bona Buddies Program.
Mentors who take buddies to SBU sports events are expected to sit in safe, alcohol-free seating. The Athletic Department recommends that children going to basketball games sit in the areas behind the hoops/backboards.