Quality Policy

• Holistic education
• Ability to change society
• Academics for excellence
• Civic awareness
• Environmental sustainability
• Dedicated and committed teaching community

ACADEMIC POLICIES & CONDUCT

CONTENTS

GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL CELL

Students’ Grievance Redressal Cell

The cell functions to look into the grievances lodged by any student. Students may approach the cell to voice their grievances regarding academic matters, health services, library and other services. Any form of discontent or dissatisfaction on the part of the students can be informed to the cell. The Grievance cell also looks into matters of harassment. Anyone with a genuine grievance may approach the Co-ordinator or member of the Students’ Grievance cell. Grievances may also be sent through e-mail to the Co-ordinator of the Students’ Grievance Cell. The cell then redresses the grievances promptly and judiciously. As a result of this mechanism, the institute has pleasant ambient atmosphere and good work culture with in-built goodwill and mutual understanding among the students.

The main objective of the Grievance Cell is to promote and maintain a conducive and harmonious educational environment among the students. The Students’ Grievance Cell is constituted for the redressal of the problems reported by the students of the College. This is with the following objectives in mind:

●    Grievance cell is formed in order to keep the healthy working atmosphere amongst staff, students and parents.
●    This cell helps Students to record their complaints and solve their problems related to academics, resources and personal grievances freely and frankly without any fear          of victimization.
●    To keep the dignity of the college high by ensuring conflict free atmosphere in the College by promoting good Student-Student relationship and Student-teacher                         relationship.
●    To ensure effective solution to the student grievances with an impartial and fair approach.
●    In order to advising Students of the College to respect each other and be patient whenever any occasion of conflict arises.
●    To advise all the students to refrain from stirring up students against other students, teachers and College administration.
●    Ragging in any form is strictly prohibited in and outside the institution. Any violation of ragging and disciplinary rules should be urgently brought to the notice of the                  Principal. Ragging Complaints will be handled as per ragging rules.
●    Woman Harassment complaints will be handled as per government guidelines by respective section.

The cell will deal with Grievances received in writing from the students about any of the following matters:
●    Academic Matters:
There shall be provisions for grievance Redressal at four levels. Complaints regarding the evaluation shall be brought to the notice of the teacher concerned in the first instance. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the teacher concerned, he/she may appeal to the Department Redressal Cell. The student will also have the freedom to make a further appeal to the College Level Grievance Redressal Cell. If the student is not satisfied, he/she may appeal to the University Level Grievance Redressal Cell. The verdict of the University Level Grievance Redressal Cell shall be final.
Complaints regarding the internal evaluation shall be made at the earliest opportunity, preferably within a week of the award of marks.
Students are free to handover the grievances to any of the committee members or else can drop their written grievances in the complaint box placed in our college. They may also register their complaints through online at grievance@mecollege.ac.in.
Class level: Teacher Concerned
Department level: Head of the Department, Class Tutor and the Teacher Concerned. If Class Tutor and the Teacher Concerned are the same one of the Senior Faculty from the Department will be included.
College level: Principal and Grievance Redressal committee.
●    Financial matters: Related to dues and payments for various items from library, hostels etc.
●    Other Matters: Related to certain misgivings about conditions of sanitation, preparation of food, availability of transport, victimization by teachers etc.

The functions of MEC Grievance Redressal cell are:
●    Complaint Boxes have been installed in the College campus in which the students, who want to remain anonymous, can put in writing their grievances and their suggestions for improving the academics/administration in the College.
●    Students can lodge a complaint.
●    The person concerned can personally approach to any member of the Cell and can send email (email id: grievancesmec@gmail.com) or write an application and submit         to Cell Convener for grievances of any sort.
●    The cases will be attended promptly on receipt of grievances from the students.
●    The cell will review all cases and will act formally accordingly as per the Management policy.
●    The cell will give report to the authority about the cases attended to and the number of pending cases, if any, which require direction and guidance from the higher                   authorities.

The grievance Redressal cell shall not entertain the following issues:
●    Decisions of the executive council, academic council, board of studies and other administrative or academic committees constituted by the university.
●    Decisions with regard to award of scholarship, fee concessions, medals etc.
●    Decisions made by the university with regard to disciplinary matters and misconduct.
●    Decisions of the university about admissions in any courses offered by the institute.
●    Decisions by competent authority on assessment and examination result.

DRESS CODE

Dress Code for Students

A dress code is maintained in our college adhering to the spirit of discipline and sense of decorum. Students shall always wear identity cards issued by the college with tag and show them as and when demanded by the Principal, teachers, office staff & security staff. Discipline committee shall have the powers to deny admission to students to classes/offices/labs/library/meeting/cultural programmes and other programmes in case of violation of the dress code of the college.

LEAVE RULES

(This is also included in the service rules)

The rules may be called the Leave Rules for the teaching and non-teaching staff of the Mar Elias College, Kottappady.
GENERAL

Leave of any kind shall be taken only with the previous permission of the competent authority. Leave cannot be claimed as a matter of right. When the exigencies of the service so require, discretion to refuse or revoke the leave of any kind is reserved to the authority empowered to grant it, Leave ordinarily begins on the day on which the incumbent proceeds on leave and ends on the day preceding that on which he/she re-joins. Holidays can be prefixed and suffixed with leave. At the discretion of the Sanctioning authority, a teacher can ordinarily be permitted to re-join duty cancelling the unveiled portion of the leave already sanctioned to him/her. Vacation can be prefixed and suffixed with any kind of leave.
Leave:

1.    Casual Leave: For purpose approved by the management, Casual Leave may be granted up to 7.5 days in each semester for teaching and non-teaching staff in the               course of an academic year.
2.    Maternity Leave: May be granted minimum 6 (Six) months and maximum up to a year without pay. When leave is granted on medical grounds the management may ask         for the production of medical certificate from a doctor approved by the Management.
3.    Leave without Allowance: The management has the freedom to grant leave without allowance for a period of up to one year for reasons approved by the Management.
4.    If any employee wants to relieve/resign from their duties they have to give notice to higher authority/management and should get approval from them. No employees can        be relieved without approval.

LIBRARY CODE OF CONDUCT & GENERAL RULES

General Rules:

•    Silence to be maintained.
•    Enter your name and sign in the register kept at the entrance before entering.
•    Library Identity Card is compulsory for getting access to the library.
•    No discussion permitted inside the library.
•    No personal belongings are allowed inside the library.
•    Using Mobile phones is strictly prohibited in the library premises.
•    Library borrower cards are not transferable.
•    The borrower is responsible for the books borrowed on his/her card.
•    Refreshment of any kind shall not be taken anywhere in the library premises
•    Students are instructed to check the books while borrowing and they will be responsible for any type of damage or mutilation noticed at the time of return.
•    Materials borrowed should be returned on or before the - 28 - due date, if returned late overdue fine will be charged for the delayed period.
•    If the books are lost, then the borrower shall replace the books of the same edition or latest edition or pay the double cost of the book.
•    Loss of borrower card should be reported to the librarian. Duplicate card may be issued against fine.
•    Library borrower cards are valid for the entire duration of the course to access library facilities. At the end of the course borrower cards shall be returned to the library.
•    Each student shall obtain No Dues Certificate from the library after returning all the books issued, surrendering the borrower’s cards and after paying outstanding dues, if       any.
•    Students are required to handle the books/ Journal very carefully. Marking with pencil, writing or highlighting, tearing the pages or mutilating the same in any other way           will  be viewed very seriously.

POLICY DOCUMENT ON CODE OF ETHICS

CODE OF CONDUCT AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PRINCIPAL

•    The Principal should ascertain the smooth and efficient functioning of the institute for the overall development of the students.
•    The Principal should monitor and ensure proper discipline in college campus with ethical disciplinary actions.
•    Form, coordinate and monitor various college level committees.
•    Encourage staff members for continuous knowledge upgradation via various activities like research work, workshops, seminars, authorships.
•    The Principal should ensure the application of Code of Conduct by college staff.
•    The Principal should ensure the implementation of the directives given by college management.
•    The Principal should plan, review and implement the short and long term plan of action for the progress of students and institute.
•    The Principal should forward unbiased confidential reports of all staff members to the Management.

CODE OF CONDUCT & RESPONSIBILITIES OF HEAD OF DEPARTMENTS

•    HOD should plan, conduct, pursue and monitor all curricular/ non-curricular activities in departments as per the Mahatma Gandhi University norms.
•    To frame a time table and distribution of workload for proper implementation of the desired teaching outcomes.
•    To monitor and ensure classes are held according to the time-table.
•    Guide and help staff members for better knowledge dissemination.
•    To monitor and ensure overall development of slow and fast learners.
•    To conduct periodic meetings of faculty to plan and review department activities.
•    To arrange guest lectures, industrial visits, seminars or webinars to encourage students to gain practical knowledge.
•    Consider students' grievances and try to resolve them through ethical academic practices.
•    To monitor department maintenance.

CODE OF CONDUCT AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF FACULTIES

Whosoever adopts teaching as a profession assumes the obligation to conduct the ideal of the profession. A teacher is constantly under the scrutiny of his students and society at large. Therefore, every teacher should see that there is no incompatibility between his precepts and practice. The national ideals of education that he/she should seek to inculcate among students must be his/her own ideals. Further, a teacher should be calm, patient and communicative by temperament and amiable in disposition.

    Teachers should:

•    Stick to a responsible pattern of conduct and character expected of them by the community;

•    Manage their private affairs in a manner consistent with the dignity of the profession;

•    Seek to make professional growth continuous through study and research;

•    Express free and frank opinion through Continuous Learning by seminars, conferences, etc., towards the contribution of knowledge;

•    Through membership of professional organizations improvise teaching-learning skills:

•    Perform their duties in the form of teaching, tutorials, practical, seminars and research work, diligently and with dedication;

•    Discourage plagiarism and other unethical behaviour in teaching and research;

•    Abide by the Act, Statute and Ordinance of the University and to respect its ideals, vision, mission, cultural practices and tradition;

•    Co-operate and assist in carrying out the functions related to the educational responsibilities of the college and the university, such as: assisting in appraising applications for admission, advising and counseling students as well as to assist the conduct of university and college examinations, including supervision, invigilation and evaluation; and

•    Participate in extension, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, including community service.

TEACHERS AND THE STUDENTS

Teachers should:

•    Respect the right and dignity of the student in expressing his/her opinion;

•    Just and impartial attitude towards students, regardless of their religion, caste, political, economic, social and physical characteristics;

•    Encourage students to improve their attainments, develop their personalities and at the same time contribute to community welfare;

•    Inculcate scientific outlook and ideals of democracy, patriotism and peace among students;

•    Avoid verbal or physical violence towards any student for any reason;

•    Make themselves available to the students even beyond their class hours and help and guide students without any remuneration or reward;

TEACHERS AND COLLEAGUES

Teachers should:

•    Treat colleagues in the same manner as they themselves wish to be treated;

•    Academic and gentle language for professional betterment;

•    Respect the fundamental rights given by the Constitution of India on the basis of caste, creed, religion, race or gender in their professional endeavour.

TEACHERS AND AUTHORITIES

Teachers should:

•    Discharge their professional responsibilities according to the existing rules and stick to procedures of the Management, University and Govt. of Kerala.

•    Strictly prohibited to practice private tuitions, coaching as well as other employment as a hindrance to their professional responsibilities;
 
•    Co-operate with the authorities for the betterment of the institutions keeping in view the interest and in conformity with dignity of the profession;

•    Avoid unreasonable leaves and take leaves with prior intimation, keeping the academic- administrative schedule intact.

TEACHERS AND NON-TEACHING STAFF

•    Teachers should treat the non-teaching staff as colleagues and equal partners in a cooperative undertaking

•    Teachers should help the supportive staff as an essential part of the institutional mechanism.

TEACHERS AND GUARDIANS

Teachers should:

Maintain contact with the guardians of their students and communicate the progress reports of the ward when necessary and meet the guardians during parents’ meet as well as Mentor Program for effective Parents-students’ feedback, mutual exchange of ideas and for the benefit of the institution and the ward.

TEACHERS AND SOCIETY

Teachers should:

•    Education is a Social Service and a teacher must strive to keep the society well-informed of the educational innovations.

•    Work to improve the moral and intellectual growth of the society.

•    Be aware of social problems and take part in such activities as would be conducive to the progress of society and hence the country as a whole;

•    Restrict from Anti-social Activities to save society from communal, caste or gender hatred or enmity.

Librarian should:

•    Adhere to a responsible pattern of conduct and demeanor expected of them by the community;

•    Manage their private affairs in a manner consistent with the dignity of the profession;

•    Discourage and not indulge in plagiarism and other unethical behavior in teaching and research;

•    Participate in extension, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, including the community service;

•    Respect the fundamental rights given by the Constitution of India on the basis of caste, creed, religion, race or gender in their professional endeavour.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR STUDENTS

•    All students admitted in Mar Elias College must observe the rules and regulations that may be framed from time to time by the management to ensure a peaceful campus atmosphere.
•    Every student is responsible for proper handling and safe custody of any apparatus/equipment that he/she may be using. In case of any intentional or negligent damage or loss to the college property, the student shall have to pay the cost of repair or replacement.
•    Ragging of any kind is strictly prohibited. Any student found ragging shall be strictly punished by the management as per the law and rules of Kerala Government ragging prohibition act 1998
•    75% attendance is compulsory in all academic activities. Students failing to attain the prescribed attendance will not be allowed to appear in the university examination.
•    On the basis of the orders issued by various government authorities, the use of mobile phones in the college campus by the students is strictly prohibited. A fine of Rs. 500/- will be imposed on those who violate this rule. Phone/Sim card will not be returned under any circumstances. A surprise inspection squad is formed to implement this rule. The students are allowed to use the phone from the office/Department in the case of an emergency.
•    The college campus is a no smoking/alcohol free zone.
•    Students should not write on walls, benches and should help in maintaining the college premises neat and clean.
•    Students are prohibited from organizing or attending meetings in the college, distributing notices, collecting money and exhibiting banners, flags, posters etc without permission of the principal. Political campaigning /organizational activities are banned in the campus, save those official activities which are specifically permitted or sponsored by the college authorities.
•    Any unhealthy relationship between students which might affect their academic performance, breach their personal space or affect the reputation of the institution will be strictly dealt with.

•    Students must park their vehicles only in the allotted space at their own risk. They should not bring four wheelers to the campus. Stunting & racing of vehicles within the campus is strictly banned.
•    The security or college staffs are authorized to inspect the records of the vehicles entering the campus.
•    Students shall always wear identity cards issued by the college with tags and show them as and when demanded by the principal, teachers, office staff & security staff. Discipline committee shall have the powers to deny admission to students to classes/ offices/ labs/ meeting/ cultural programmes and other programmes in case of violation of the dress code of the college.
•    All students should reach the classroom on time and shall not leave the campus without permission of HoDs /Class in charge / Principal during class time.
•    Students who want to avail college bus conveyance in between the semester will have to pay full bus fee for the entire semester. Students who are not requested for the bus facility but found traveling by college bus will be charged a full bus fee as fine.
•    Parents must attend the PTA meetings and open houses. They should verify the progress report and sign it and enquire about their child’s academic progress.
•    The fee schedule for all categories of students is the beginning of each semester. In case a fee is not deposited till the due date a fine will be charged. Once the fee is deposited, it will not be refunded, transferred or adjusted in any other account. If a student leaves the course in mid-term, he/she will be liable to pay the balance of fee for the whole course.
• Complaints of students will be looked into if they are presented through proper channels. Any case of criminal activity or violation of law and order in the campus will be reported to the police and the police need to register a case and initiate action against offenders. Matters not covered by these rules are left to the discretion of the principal and his/her decision shall be final.
• Students who want to participate in extracurricular and co-curricular activities get prior written permission from the principal through applications forwarded by concerned HoDs.
•    The College management and Principal shall be final authority in the interpretation of the college rules.

ATTENDANCE & LEAVE OF ABSENCE OF STUDENTS

•  University and College rules require REGULAR ATTENDANCE for both theory and practical hours. Attendance is noted for each period.
•   A Student who is not in the class when attendance is taken shall be marked absent. If a student absents oneself even for one hour, she shall loss attendance for that               entire session.
 •  For attending pre-planned events and programmes, prior permission for leave needs to be taken. In case of emergency situations, the Parent or Guardian or Warden of           the hostel has to inform of the absence to the Faculty In-charge.
•   The attendance of every student will be summed up at the end of each semester.
•   75% of attendance is compulsory for attending University Examination