Safety and Security Policy

The safety and security of students, staff, faculty, and visitors are paramount to creating a productive and supportive campus environment. A comprehensive safety and security policy is essential for addressing potential risks and ensuring a safe and secure atmosphere for all members of the campus community. This policy outlines the measures and protocols designed to prevent, respond to, and manage safety and security incidents effectively.

Scope

This safety and security policy applies to all areas of the campus, including academic buildings, residential facilities, administrative offices, recreational areas, and external spaces. It encompasses all aspects of safety and security, Including emergency preparedness, crime prevention, incident response, and the protection of property and individuals. The policy is intended for all campus stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, contractors, and visitors.

Objectives

1. Enhance Emergency Preparedness: Develop and implement comprehensive emergency response plans, including evacuation procedures, emergency contact protocols, and regular drills to ensure readiness for various emergency situations.
2. Promote Crime Prevention: Establish preventive measures to reduce the risk of crime on campus, such as increased security patrols, surveillance systems, and crime awareness programs.
3. Ensure Effective Incident Response: Implement clear procedures for reporting, responding to, and managing safety and security incidents, ensuring timely and effective action to address potential threats or emergencies.
4. Protect Campus Property: Safeguard campus facilities and assets through access control measures, regular security assessments, and maintenance of security infrastructure.
5. Foster a Safe Campus Environment: Create an inclusive and supportive environment where all members of the campus community feel secure, with resources and support systems in place for those experiencing safety or security concerns.
6. Provide Ongoing Training and Awareness: Conduct regular training sessions and awareness programs for the campus community on safety and security practices, policies, and emergency procedures.
7. Monitor and Review Security Measures: Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of safety and security policies and practices, utilizing feedback and incident data to make necessary adjustments and improvements.

By achieving these objectives, the campus aims to ensure a safe and secure environment that supports the well-being and success of its entire community.

Sacred Heart College (Autonomous) is committed in providing and maintaining a safe and healthy environment for faculties, non-faculties and students. The college has set out its aim in safety and security policy and guidelines in achieving this. Safety and Security policy and guidelines of the college is constituted under the UGC guidelines.

The primary function for Safety and Security policy is to advise, assist and support staff and students to effectively manage health and safety within college. We continuously strive for improvement and we expect all our staff, students, contractors and visitors to help us achieve by following our policies, procedures and guidance. The college encourages and expects staff, students and visitors to co-operate on matters of health and safety and to act responsibly whilst on college premises.

Accidents and First Aid

• The college makes every effort to ensure measures are in place to control health and safety risk at the college.
• If any accident occurs on our college premises, the affected party will be given First Aid and immediately shifted to the nearest hospital.
• If an accident occurs outside the college e.g: on a college trip or excursion, the accompanying teachers must report it to the HoD/principal as soon as possible. Immediate measures in such cases will depend on the organization’s own policy which the students are requested to familiarize as soon as one joins any such programs.

First Aid

The college shall ensure that the affected individual receives first aid when and wherever necessary. If the students/ staff require first aid, the Dean of Student Affairs is at your service on intimation.

In case of any emergency

• Leave the building through the nearest and safest exit or as directed by staff or fire personnel.
• Use designated escape routes or stairways to evacuate the premises efficiently.
• Close doors behind you to contain the spread of smoke and fire.
• Utilize fire extinguishers located in various parts of the college in the event of a fire-related incident.

Visitors

The college extends a warm welcome to all visitors. All the visitors have to enter their details before entering the campus. For directions or assistance, they could approach the reception desk or Information Centre. There are maps in every entrance of each block for directions and there are board in the main entrance to get details regarding the college.

Safety Measures on Campus

The following committees to look into the safety and security of the staffs and students on the campus:

1. Internal Complaints Committee ICC (Anti-sexual harassment committee) has been constituted as per the laws of land to ensure gender justice and that no harassment is done on basis of sexual difference on campus.
2. Grievance Redressal Committee functions to address the grievances of students and staffs of the college. This is a specific mechanism for grievances regarding exam related matters.
3. Grievance reporting on College Website: Students can report grievances, complaints or suggestions for improvement.
4. Grievance Reporting: Suggestion boxes are fixed at the library, IQAC, Principal’s office and women’s retiring area where in suggestion chits could be deposited. They are examined by SDO or counsellor once in a week.
5. Discipline committee helps the principal to maintain discipline in the campus. It formulates strategies for improving discipline and meets when required and conducts enquires and prepares reports regarding the action to be taken.
6. Anti-Ragging Committee and ethics committee works in collaboration with discipline committee, foresees the possibilities of ragging and organizes awareness program to create a friendly campus. It also documents activities done to prevent ragging and sends report to 16 concerned centers as Arequired. In the event of any complaints or instance, it meets, make enquiries and suggests disciplinary actions.
7. Vehicular traffic on the campus is restricted between 9:00 am to 3:45 pm. Vehicles are allowed to be parked only in the space provided. Helmet, noise related norms and other traffic regulation have to be strictly adhered to. Use of bicycles is promoted. Exit of student vehicles during the working hours is discouraged.
8. Identity card for prevention unauthorized entry: Students and staffs should wear easily identifiable and authentic IDs and wearing of such cards in the premises mandatory.
9. 24/7 camera surveillance and security personnel. College has a CCTV system that functions 24/7 and security personnel guarding all the campus round the clock, complete with a security room.
10. Visitor record and boom barrier gate: The entrance of the college is carefully monitored at all times to prevent unauthorized entry and keep visitor’s record daily. Boom barrier gates are fixed at the main entrance of the campus.
11. Fire extinguishers: Fire extinguishers and instructions to use the fire extinguishers are installed at decisive locations as per standards.
12. Code of Conduct, Policy Documents and College Calendar are displayed in the college website. A handbook and calendar are given to all students at the beginning of the academic year. Important rules, regulations and helpline numbers are displayed in the website, digital display board, notice board, canteen etc.
13. A girls’ hostel is available on campus.
14. Counselling service: The students can avail counselling service all Fridays if they face any mental tensions. Each batch are taken periodically for sharing their problems and stress to the counsellor and students were able to overcome their hurdles that they face in their life. There is a separate external counsellor for students if they want any advice from them.
15. Awareness programs are organized by competent: Talks by officials of police and public administration departments, various personalities and informative audio-video lectures and presentation arranges every year at least once, covering issues related to safety of personal belongings, vehicles, personal information, ATM, special event safety, defensive sprays, sexual harassment, violence against women, healthy relationships and healthy sexuality, importance of communication and respecting personal boundaries, menstrual hygiene and personal fitness.

Safety measures as part of student orientation and training

• All students will be briefed about the safety measures on the campus and would be asked to abide by them during the initial phase of their entry.
• Together with Ani-Ragging orientation to senior students at the beginning of the year, safety orientation will be given.
• Staff also will be oriented regarding safety measures on the campus on their induction.
• Mock safety drills shall be held periodically.
• Physical education department/NCC/NSS/Women Cell shall organize periodic sessions in safety and self-defence.

Safety of students while they are on excursion/tours/academic trip set c-ugc

• Departments should make sure the expedition activities are undertaken under the guidance and supervision of at least two teachers, of whom one is a lady teacher. The number of students who can collectively embark on such expedition can be adjusted in accordance with the multiple factors like duration of the journey, the weather condition, type of route and manageability.
• Institutions/departments should work out the itinerary and travel plan well in advance and circulate them amongst the parents/guardians of the students who are setting out on journey.
• It is mandatory for institutions/departments to elicit consent letters from the parents/guardian of the students who are embarking on tour. Further no excursion/ trip shall be conducted unless such assurance as world indemnifies students against various emergencies and risks.
• Before proceeding on tour all the students should be properly briefed by way of training about geography, climate, hazardous location and risks zones existing in the proposed destination, code of environment protection, emergency procedures and basic first aid. Teachers should further remind the participants the importance of safety precautions, team spirit and discipline.
• The institution/department should ensure that each student is medically fit go be part of the excursion tour.
• If the expedition involves camping such sites should be free from hazardous such as flooding, dangerous slope, falling rocks etc.
• Students should be allowed to carry personal communication devices such as mobile phones and should be instructed to remain in constant touch with the parents/guardians. This would also facilitate casuality handling and communication in case of emergency.

Two Wheeler/Four Wheeler Regulations

• Two wheelers of students may be parked at the allotted space in the campus after paying the parking fee.
• All students who come to college by two wheelers are expected to wear helmets.
• Students and staff must follow the speed limits on campus roads. (20 km/hr)
• The campus is a pedestrian-friendly space.
• Students and staff must register the licence plate numbers of their vehicles at the office and collect the identification stickers for their vehicles from the office.
• Vehicles without identification stickers will not be allowed to enter the campus.
• The College vehicles must be utilized only for official purposes.
• All the vehicles are to be maintained in good condition by the drivers appointed by the college.
• A log book must be maintained for fuel usage and other repair works of the vehicles.
• The Fitness Certificate for all the vehicles is to be renewed with the RTO office periodically.