General Information
St. Bonaventure University, a Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition, is an independent, coeducational institution offering undergraduate programs through its Schools of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Health Professions and Jandoli School of Communication, and various graduate degrees through its School of Graduate Studies including the world-renowned Franciscan Institute.
The St. Bonaventure campus in southwestern New York is spread over 500 acres in a valley surrounded by the Allegheny foothills on Route 417 between Olean and Allegany and about two miles from Exit 24 of the Southern Tier Expressway, I-86. The University is accessible by car, bus and commercial airlines, which land in Buffalo, N.Y., and Erie, Pa. The mailing address is 3261 W. State Road, St. Bonaventure, NY 14778.
History
St. Bonaventure University was founded through the initiative and dedicated efforts of Nicholas Devereux, a large landholder and financier from Utica, N.Y., with the cooperation and support of John Timon, Bishop of Buffalo, and members of the Franciscan Order. Their dream of more than a century and a half ago has flourished, and St. Bonaventure University has expanded greatly during the 154 years of its existence. In 1854 the two promoters persuaded a group of friars from Italy to venture to America and establish a Catholic college and seminary in Western New York. Principal among these Franciscans was Fr. Pamphilus da Magliano, who later became the College’s first President. On Oct. 4, 1858, the Feast of St. Francis, the formal dedication of the new school was held on the tract of land donated by Devereux. It was then that the College was named after St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, the Patron of Franciscan Studies and Learning. St. Bonaventure College held its first Commencement Exercise in June 1860, graduating a class of 15 students. Since then the University has grown to more than 2,000 students.
The College was provisionally chartered on March 1, 1875, by an Act of the Regents of the State of New York, “For the instruction ... in the learned languages and in the liberal and useful arts and sciences.”
In the 1920s the College developed a full-time graduate program which has continually expanded since that time. Early in the 20th century St. Bonaventure also became home to the School of Franciscan Studies and the Franciscan Institute. The permanent Charter of Incorporation of the College was granted by the State in 1883, and in 1950, after nearly a century of operation, St. Bonaventure was named a University by the Board of Regents.
Mission and Vision
St. Bonaventure is a Catholic university dedicated to educational excellence as informed by our Franciscan and liberal arts traditions. In the words of our patron, we believe that there should be “no knowledge without love,” and thus seek to transform the lives of our students, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship.
St. Bonaventure embraces students, faculty and staff of all faiths and cultures and strives to bring out the best in every individual through meaningful relationships. As an academic and spiritual community, we endeavor to prepare our students for the challenges they will face in their professional careers and personal lives.
Values Statement
Our Franciscan COMMUNITY affirms the unique dignity of everyone, each person reflecting the goodness of God, and invites all of our sisters and brothers to forge bonds of mutual acceptance and understanding that create a true sense of belonging.
We are a COMMUNITY …
- Nurturing COMPASSION.
- Seeking WISDOM.
- Building INTEGRITY.
COMPASSION: We are convinced that all of creation is God’s gift, an awareness that calls forth a sense of solidarity with everyone and everything. As images of God, we strive to share God’s unconditional love, particularly with those on the margins of society — the needy, the ignored, and the excluded.
WISDOM: We are convinced that education must be transformative of the whole person, concerned not only with the intellect, but also with the will, the heart, and the body. Education must be eminently practical, not just about learning concepts and skills, but discerning how to truly live humanly, deeply, and well in the world.
INTEGRITY: We are convinced that each of us must accept responsibility for our actions and that our relationships should be based on respect for the dignity of others, honesty, and transparency, realizing that the values we espouse mean little unless they are embodied in our personal and professional lives.
Statement of Distinction
At St. Bonaventure University, we strive to foster the development of knowledgeable, skilled, compassionate and ethical individuals by mentoring students within vitally engaging learning environments, ever mindful of such Franciscan values as individual dignity, community inclusiveness, and service to others. We will be the premier Franciscan institution of higher learning in North America, and, as such, we will have the resources and endowment befitting our university’s mission, age and tradition.
Accreditation
St. Bonaventure University is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-662-5606. The Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. The University is also accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. St. Bonaventure is chartered by the state of New York and the Board of Regents.
Undergraduate and Graduate Academic Structure
Undergraduate Degrees Offered
Baccalaureate degrees and majors offered are:
- Bachelor of Arts: broadcast journalism, communication, social justice & advocacy, criminology, English, environmental studies, health and society, history, individualized, international studies, journalism, literary publishing & editing, media studies, modern languages (Spanish), music, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, sports media, strategic communication, theater, theology, video production, visual arts, women’s studies
- Bachelor of Science: biochemistry, bioinformatics, biology, biology adolescence education, chemistry, chemistry adolescence education, computer science, cybersecurity, economics, educational studies, engineering physics, health and society, health science, individualized, mathematics, mathematics adolescence education, nursing, physics, physics adolescence education, psychology, public health, sport studies
- Bachelor of Science in Education: adolescence education with disciplinary concentrations, childhood (elementary) education, childhood and early childhood education, inclusive childhood education, physical education
- Bachelor of Business Administration: accounting, economics, finance, individualized, management, marketing, sport management
For an extensive listing of degrees offered, see the inventory of registered programs at the end of this general information section.
School of Arts and Sciences
The objective of the School of Arts and Sciences is to afford a broad education in the cultural and scientific subjects. While each department offers specific training in a particular subject to students desiring to major in that field, the arts curriculum as a whole is designed to acquaint the student with literature, art, language, history and philosophy, which largely form our cultural inheritance. The science curriculum is designed to give a thorough education in the basic principles of the various sciences (for their own sake), as well as preparation for advanced study and research. (See the School of Arts and Sciences section for more information on specific programs.)
School of Business
Educating each student to meet the challenges of a dynamic global business environment is our highest priority. Our curriculum will emphasize the development of leadership, management, problem solving and ethical decision making. Guided by our Franciscan heritage, we will create an environment that provides abundant opportunities for interaction among all members of the University community, as well as alumni and business professionals. We strive to bring out the best in every individual, and to prepare our students for the challenges they will face in their professional careers as well as in their personal lives. (See the School of Business section for more information.)
School of Education
The School of Education is dedicated to furthering the mission of the University and to incorporating Franciscan culture and values into the preparation of educators for the twenty-first century. It provides a deep, broad and inclusive professional preparation within a strong academic core. The School of Education seeks to prepare educators who can connect their Franciscan culture and academic and professional curricula to learners and learning environments of the future. Operating within a conceptual framework organized around three themes — competence, experience, and social justice — all professional preparation programs foster reflection, inquiry, strong collegial relationships, leadership in the change process and dedication to lifelong learning. (See the School of Education section for more information.)
School of Health Professions
The School of Health Professions builds on St. Bonaventure's robust undergraduate science curriculum and pre-health programs. In addition to the present bachelor's degree programs in Nursing, Public Health and Health Science, we are exploring the creation of additional clinical and non-clinical degree programs at the graduate and undergraduate level in several of the most desired and needed health fields.
Jandoli School of Communication
The Jandoli School of Communication strives to provide students with the necessary professional skills for successful careers in print and broadcast journalism and strategic communication, including public relations and advertising. This is accomplished within the context of strong preparation in the liberal arts with an emphasis on writing and experiential learning. (See School of Communication section for more information.)
School of Graduate Studies
The School of Graduate Studies offers an opportunity to qualified students to extend and deepen their knowledge through specialized training in methods of investigation and research. Evening and Saturday courses are offered on the St. Bonaventure campus, as well as several online degree options. Please check the graduate catalog for details.
On the St. Bonaventure campus, the University offers:
- Master of Business Administration in general business
- Master of Science in clinical mental health and school counseling
- Master of Science in Education in adolescence education, educational leadership, clinical mental health, school counseling, literacy (Birth to Grade 12), and inclusive special education
- Advanced certificate of specialization in school counseling and teaching students with exceptionalities
- Master of Science in Education in educational leadership
- Certification for school building leader and school district leader
The following programs are offered in an all-online format:
- Master of Arts in communication, digital journalism, leadership and sports journalism
- Master of Science in Education in clinical mental health, school counseling, and cybersecurity
- Master of Business Administration in general business
- Master of Science in cybersecurity and business analytics
Resources and Buildings
The St. Bonaventure campus is a blend of traditional Florentine and modern brick buildings, including science laboratories, computer facilities, art galleries, a recital hall, theater, band and choral classrooms, art studios, a sports arena, swimming pool, classroom buildings, modern languages and journalism laboratories, a library with a resource center, and residence halls and apartments for men and women. The campus also contains a friary for the community’s Franciscan friars.
Science laboratories include facilities for instruction and research in a variety of fields, including computer science, physics, biology, microbiology, psychology, environmental studies, chemistry and mathematics. Among the facilities are an observatory, biotechnology laboratory, tissue culture laboratory, equipment for research in the growth of microorganisms, plants and an extensive mammal collection. (See De La Roche Hall and Walsh Science Center)
McGinley-Carney Center for Franciscan Ministry is the campus’ newest building, opened in 2017, houses the offices of University Ministries, the Franciscan Center for Social Concern, and Mt. Irenaeus. It includes an interdenominational prayer tower, kitchen facilities and the Fr. Silas Rooney Great Room, honoring one of the university’s legendary friars.
Technology Services provides technology support to all members of the campus community. Our computing facilities include general use computer labs, academic department computer labs, campus-wide WiFi coverage, the MySBU campus portal and our Moodle learning management system.
Friedsam Memorial Library has built, and continues to build, a strong traditional collection of materials (over 250,000 books, 1,300 periodical subscriptions and 60,000 bound periodical volumes), along with developing access to electronic source. The library seeks not only to support university instruction with appropriate materials and access, but also to foster independent investigation and research by the university community.
The library maintains a reference department to assist patrons in using its collections and developing research strategies. An Ask Us 24/7 service is available where you can chat online with a qualified librarian who can assist you with many aspects of using the library, and an interlibrary loan service is available to obtain materials from other institutions.
Both reference and interlibrary loan services are available via e-mail or telephone. Many of the library’s electronic resources and services are available on its web page (http://www.sbu.edu/friedsam).
The library also has collections of unique resources that are of national and international importance. In its coverage of the Franciscan movement the Franciscan Institute Library is unmatched in the western hemisphere and can be equaled by only a few European libraries. The Rare Book Collection contains nearly 10,000 items, including late medieval manuscripts and early printed books.
The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts is the home of the University’s Art Collection, which includes works of the Old Masters, Chinese porcelains, early American and contemporary artists, and art from the Mayan and Indian cultures. Additional facilities include the Rigas Family Theater. Music, theater and visual arts instructional spaces and galleries presenting the University Art Collection, national touring artists and student work are also housed in the Center. The F. Donald Kenney Museum and Art Study Wing includes two galleries, a lithograph study room and support spaces. The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts also houses offices and instructional spaces for the visual and performing arts programs.
The Sandra A. and William L. Richter Center, a recreation facility that opened in fall 2004, houses three basketball courts, a weight room, two racquetball/squash courts, cardio area, jogging/walking track, locker rooms, equipment checkout, climbing wall and multi-purpose aerobics room. The center is 45,000 sq. ft., with a large central atrium and two floors.
The Administration Building houses the offices of the president, provost and vice president for academic affairs, admissions, business, financial aid, registrar's office, student accounts, institutional research, and purchasing.
Francis Hall is the home to the DePerro School of Health Professions. Located on the east side of campus, Francis Hall provides a unique living experience for students. The hall houses upperclassmen and graduate students in single occupancy rooms. In January of 2021, Francis Hall saw the completion of a $17.5 million dollar renovation project in the academic areas of the hall, including Freshens Café, a dining facility open to the entire campus.
The Reilly Center is St. Bonaventure’s largest building, providing a sports arena (Bob Lanier Court) seating 5,480 spectators, the Athletic Hall of Fame, a swimming pool and other athletic facilities, The Damietta Center, WSBU radio, lounges, snack bar, Career and Professional Development Center, Post Office, University Bookstore, ROTC offices, classrooms, counseling services and other offices. The Counseling Services section of the Center for Student Wellness offers individual and group counseling sessions. The counselors hold NYS licenses to practice as mental health counselors.
The John J. Murphy Professional Building is home to the Jandoli School of Communication and School of Franciscan Studies. It contains the 400-seat Dresser Auditorium, lecture classrooms, specialty classrooms, and dean and faculty offices. It also includes a broadcast journalism lab and television studio.
The William E. and Ann L. Swan Business Center opened in 2013 and is home to the School of Business. It features a financial services lab with electronic ticker tape, a corporate boardroom, state-of-the-art classrooms, break-out areas, spaces for student collaboration, team building, and faculty research, a dean’s suite, innovative technology uses, and a serious commitment to sustainability.
The Remote Broadcast Facility is the Jandoli School of Communication’s network-level sports production facility. It can be used to broadcast live sports telecasts of A-10 basketball, baseball, soccer, lacrosse etc., plus studio shows about sports and public affairs.
Butler Memorial Hall houses the theater shop, theater faculty offices, the theater voice and movement lab, the adjunct music instructors’ office and studio, and a gym used primarily for intramural athletics and practices.
Plassmann Hall and Annex house the offices of most of the arts faculty of the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education and the Student Success Center. It contains classrooms, offices, seminar rooms, a clinic room and a modern language laboratory. First-Year Programs, the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), Tutoring and Academic Support, Accessibility Services and the office of International Student Services are all housed within the Student Success Center.
De La Roche Hall, which received a $3 million upgrade in 2008, houses the science program, which includes modern laboratories for the chemistry, biology, physics, psychology, and mathematics departments. The $13 million William F. Walsh Science Center, a 46,500-square-foot facility, adjoins De La Roche and opened in 2008. It houses state-of-the-art computer science department, laboratory and classroom space, biology labs, organic and general chemistry labs, Natural World labs, a 150-seat indoor amphitheater, and faculty offices integrated with lab space for better student-teacher accessibility.
Doyle Hall houses approximately 160 students on its upper three floors, with freshmen on one floor and sophomores, juniors and seniors on the other two. The hall is coed with single-gender floors. The four-story residency wing connects to the University Chapel, the Center for Student Wellness, human resources offices, and ROTC offices.
Hickey Dining Hall offers a wide variety of dining options to students from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Rathskeller, an on-campus club, is in the basement, and the Bona Wolf Den, a gourmet, wireless coffeehouse serving Starbucks products, opened in 2007. In 2020 the Hickey Dining Hall underwent renovations where air conditioning was installed, and an upper mezzanine was added to the main dining room to allow for more modern type of seating options.
Mt. Irenaeus Retreat is located in the Allegheny hills 35 minutes from campus. Named after Fr. Irenaeus Herscher, O.F.M., beloved St. Bonaventure librarian, this Franciscan retreat offers “prayer and peaceful re-creation” to all in the community. More than 228 acres are used for hiking, cross-country skiing, residence hall programs and weekend retreats.
St. Bonaventure University On-Campus Housing Residency Policy and Requirements
All St. Bonaventure University students (including transfer students) are required to live on campus throughout their freshman, sophomore and junior years except as noted below. The terms freshman, sophomore, junior and senior are defined by credit hour as outlined in the University Catalog. The Residence Hall and Food Service Terms and Conditions are binding for both fall and spring semesters of that academic year. Therefore, a student’s residency requirement for the entire academic year is determined by that student’s status at the beginning of that academic year. As part of the Residence Hall and Food Service Terms and Conditions, undergraduate students living in dormitory style housing (Doyle, Devereux, Robinson, Falconio, Shay, Loughlen) are required to have either a silver, gold or platinum meal plan. Only students with full-time, matriculating status at the beginning of each semester are permitted to live in on-campus residence halls. Should a student fall below full-time status during the semester, he or she will not be required to move out provided they are still enrolled in and attending courses.
Exceptions to this housing residency requirement include:
- Students commuting from home, when home address is within 30 miles of St. Bonaventure University.
- Married students or students with dependent children.
- Students age 23 years or older at the start of the academic year.
- Students whose Residence Hall and Food Service contract is terminated by the University (see “Termination by the University” in most current Residence Hall and Food Service Terms and Conditions).
- Students who are restricted from living on campus as a result of a judicial hearing sanction.
Students wishing to request an exception to this policy for extenuating reasons not covered above must complete the Housing Residency Exception Request Form and submit it to the vice president for Student Affairs for consideration. Students to whom the above exceptions do not apply, or who do not receive permission from the vice president, and do not participate in the room selection process, will be assigned a room after room selection, and billed for room and meal plan.
This policy is predicated on research statistics demonstrating that students who live in residence halls tend to perform better academically, acclimate more rapidly to the collegiate environment, become involved in a greater number of learning experiences that complement classroom teachings, and are more satisfied in general with the college experience.
Additional Important Information Regarding On-Campus Accommodations
Student rooms are furnished, and wireless internet access is provided. Students must provide their own blankets, towels and other personal amenities. The University does not provide married student or family student housing.
Occupancy of residence halls is outlined in the student’s Residence Hall and Food Service Terms and Conditions. These terms and conditions apply to the entirety of the academic year, and no deduction is made for absences. A room may be reserved for new students only when their confirmation deposit has been received and accepted. Returning students must make the necessary room deposit by the required date as determined by the Business Office.
Dining Service
Full service in the Hickey Dining Hall will begin with the evening meal preceding the day of registration and will close with the evening meal on Commencement day. The University will not provide service on Thanksgiving or Easter day or during the recess between semesters. The first meal for new students reporting for the fall semester is the evening meal of the day the residence halls become available for occupancy. Full meal plans are required for all residential students; exceptions are made for graduate students and/or students living in the Townhouse Apartments or Garden Apartments. Students may change their meal plan only within the first ten (10) business days of each semester. Meal plans purchases and changes are done exclusively through the Bona Express Office.
Service in the Reilly Center Café, the Bona Wolf Den, and Francis Café is available during the academic year and, to a limited extent, during summers and vacations.
University Residence Facilities
Devereux Hall, one of the most historic buildings on campus, is conveniently located in the middle of the campus. Living in Devereux allows the student the opportunity for individual taste in rooms, as there are both single rooms and two-person rooms in the building. Devereux also houses the 110-seat Garret Theater, home of SBU Theater productions and rehearsals, as well as theater program classes.
Shay/Loughlen Halls are commonly referred to as “Shay/Lo”, and are two buildings joined by a large common lounge. Shay/Loughlen maintains a balanced academic and social atmosphere that lends itself to a well-rounded residential experience. Shay hall offers four-person suites, consisting of two two-person rooms connected by a private bathroom. Loughlen hall typically houses freshmen, and offers traditional two-person rooms with a common bathroom on each floor.
Robinson/Falconio Halls are commonly referred to as “Rob/Fal.” They are identical traditional residence halls located at the center of campus life situated between Doyle Hall and the Reilly Center. These two buildings are the closest residence halls to the outdoor basketball courts, athletic fields and Richter Center. Freshmen are typically housed in Rob/Fal. The office of Safety and Security Services is located on the first floor of Robinson.
Francis Hall is the home to the DePerro School of Health Professions. Located on the east side of campus, Francis Hall provides a unique living experience for students. The hall houses upperclassmen and graduate students in single occupancy rooms. In January of 2021, Francis Hall saw the completion of a $17.5 million dollar renovation project in the academic areas of the hall, including Freshens Café, a dining facility open to the entire campus.
Doyle Hall features the largest double rooms on campus equipped with a sink in each room. Doyle typically houses a mix of all class years, including first-year students. Doyle also houses Human Resources, the Department of History, Center for Student Wellness, University chapel, the Events & Conference Center, and ROTC offices. The Center for Student Wellness houses Health Services. Health Services employs medical professionals to provide physical health care for SBU students.
Gardens East and Gardens West, also known as “The Gardens,” are apartment buildings located along the wooded path close to Francis Hall. Apartments in this complex accommodate six students in double-occupancy rooms with a living room, two bathrooms, a dining room and a fully equipped kitchen. Sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible to live in the The Gardens, which were fully renovated in 2021.
The Townhouses also known as “Phase 1,” “Phase 2” and “Phase 3,” are apartment buildings located adjacent to both sides of Francis Hall. They offer juniors, seniors and graduate students the opportunity of an independent lifestyle, accommodating either four or six students with single bedrooms. Every apartment and townhouse also includes a living room, one-and-a-half bathrooms and a kitchen.
St. Bonaventure University New York State Registered Programs (Undergraduate)
| Program Title | HEGIS No. | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Biology Adolescence Education | 0401.00 | BS |
| Biology | 0401.00 | BS |
| Biochemistry | 0414.00 | BS |
| Bioinformatics | 0419.00 | BS |
| Behavioral Neuroscience | 0425.00 | BS |
| Accounting | 0502.00 | BBA |
| Finance | 0504.00 | BBA |
| Management | 0506.00 | BBA |
| Marketing | 0509.00 | BBA |
| Economics | 0517.00 | BBA |
| Sport Management | 0599.00 | BBA |
| Broadcast Journalism | 0601.00 | BA |
| Communication, Social Justice & Advocacy | 0601.00 | BA |
| Journalism | 0601.00 | BA |
| Media Studies | 0601.00 | BA |
| Sports Media | 0601.00 | BA |
| Video Production | 0605.00 | BA |
| Strategic Communication | 0699.00 | BA |
| Computer Science | 0701.00 | BS |
| Cybersecurity | 0799.00 | BS |
| Childhood Education | 0802.00 | BSED |
| Educational Studies | 0802.00 | BS |
| Inclusive Childhood Education | 0808.00 | BSED |
| Physical Education Teacher K-12 | 0835.00 | BS |
| Visual Arts | 1002.00 | BA |
| Music | 1004.10 | BA |
| Theater | 1007.00 | BA |
| Spanish | 1105.00 | BA |
| Health Science | 1201.00 | BS |
| Nursing | 1203.10 | BS |
| Public Health | 1214.00 | BS |
| Health and Society | 1299.00 | BA |
| Health and Society | 1299.00 | BS |
| Sport Studies | 1299.30 | BS |
| English | 1501.00 | BA |
| Philosophy | 1509.00 | BA |
| Literary Publishing and Editing | 1599.00 | BA |
| Mathematics Adolescence Education | 1701.00 | BS |
| Mathematics | 1701.00 | BS |
| Adolescence Educ. w/Disciplinary Concentrations | 1701.01 | BSED |
| Physics Adolescence Education | 1902.00 | BS |
| Physics | 1902.00 | BS |
| Physics-Engineering Physics | 1902.00 | BS |
| Chemistry Adolescence Education | 1905.00 | BS |
| Chemistry | 1905.00 | BS |
| Psychology | 2001.00 | BA |
| Psychology | 2001.00 | BS |
| History | 2205.00 | BA |
| Political Science | 2207.00 | BA |
| Sociology | 2208.00 | BA |
| Criminology | 2209.00 | BA |
| International Studies | 2210.00 | BA |
| Environmental Studies | 2299.00 | BA |
| Theology | 2301.00 | BA |
| Economics | 2204.00 | BS |
| Women's Studies | 4903.00 | BA |
| Individualized Majors | 4999.00 | BA |
| Individualized Majors | 4999.00 | BBA |
| Individualized Majors | 4999.00 | BS |