Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)
About PES University Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)
The PES University constituted the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to prevent the sexual harassment of women at workplace in accordance with the sexual harassment of women at workplace (prevention, prohibition and redressal) act 2013. The Sexual harassment results in the violation of basic fundamental rights of women such as Right to equality under article 14,15 and her right to life and live with dignity under article 21 of the constitution of India.
PESU ICC Composition
Objective of Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)
- Prevent discrimination and sexual harassment, by promoting gender amity among students and Employees.
- Deal with cases of discrimination and sexual harassment against women, in a time bound manner, aiming at ensuring support services to the victimized and termination of the harassment.
- Recommend appropriate punitive action.
Functions of Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)
The Internal Complaints Committee has two major functions:
Preventive
- To work towards creating an atmosphere promoting equality, non-discrimination and gender sensitivity.
- To promote and facilitate measures to create a work environment that is free of sexual harassment.
Remedial
- To receive and take cognizance of complaints made about sexual harassment at the university and give every complaint serious consideration.
- Crisis Management, Mediation and Counseling
- To conduct enquiries into the complaints, place findings and recommendations regarding penalties against the harasser.
PESU ICC Meetings & Action Taken Report
Minutes of Internal Complaints Committee(ICC) Meeting
Meeting Code: PESU/ICC/2019-20 -#1:
The Internal Complaints Committee meeting #1 was convened on 04-03-2020 at the Boardroom from 02.30 pm to 4 pm to discuss the following agenda points:
- Formation of the committee members.
- Awareness creation in the PES University campus
- Circulation of UGC Guidelines in the PES University
- Any report of Sexual harassment in the PES University campus.
- Visit to the girl’s hostel and the department
The meeting started with the Chairman, making a presentation on the understanding of the roles and responsibilities of ICC coordinators.
Subsequent to the presentation the following agenda points were discussed and deliberated in this ICC meeting.
- The decision was taken on the recommended new committee members from various departments/ sections were included based on the requisite and formulated the ICC
- In the meeting it was decided to get posters with information and contact details of the ICC committee / members to be printed. The printed posters circulated in the various departments / sections, Hostel, etc., of the PES University and asked to put them on the notice board. This is to create awareness in the PES University about the Internal Complaints Committee
- The committee decided to circulate the UGC working guidelines among the members of ICC and in the various departments / sections, Hostel, etc., of the PES University.
- The members presented that there was no report of Sexual harassment in the PES University and upon any case being registered, to be addressed by this five-member committee which include Registrar, Dean Student Affairs, Chairman, Convener, Counselor and concerned department ICC member.
- The committee decided to prepare a schedule for the visit to the Hostel and the department to interact with the students and women faculty members.
The meeting concluded by Chairman, thanking all the members.
Minutes of Internal Complaints Committee(ICC) Meeting
Meeting Code: PESU/ICC/2019-20 -#2:
The Internal Complaints Committee meeting #2 was convened on 05-08-2020 at the Boardroom from 02.30 pm to 4 pm to discuss the following agenda points:
- Action Taken Report of the suggestions made in previous meeting dated: 04-03-2020
- Status of awareness creation in the PES University campus
- Status of circulation of UGC Guidelines in the PES University
- Review of the programs conducted by departments on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment
- Any report of Sexual harassment in the PES University campus.
- Status of visit to the girl’s hostel and the departments
- Personal counseling during pandemic
The meeting started with the Chairman discussing the action taken as per the suggestions given by the committee members on 04-03-2020. Subsequently the Chairman opened the discussion on the agenda points
- The poster with information and contact details of the ICC committee / members are circulated in the various departments / sections, Hostel, etc., of the PES University campus. The printed posters were put on the notice board. This helps to create awareness in the PES University about the Internal Complaints CommitteeIn the meeting it was decided to get posters with information and contact details of the ICC committee / members to be printed. The printed posters circulated in the various departments / sections, Hostel, etc., of the PES University and asked to put them on the notice board. This is to create awareness in the PES University about the Internal Complaints Committee
- The UGC working guidelines are circulated among the members of ICC and in the various departments / sections, Hostel, etc., to provide a neutral, confidential and supportive environment to the PES University staff and students.
- The Committee decided to organize a program on awareness programmes on current pandemic situation to promote awareness
- The members reported that there was no report of Sexual harassment in the PES University and upon any case being registered, to be addressed by this five-member committee which include Registrar, Dean Student Affairs, Chairman, Convener, Counselor and concerned department ICC member.
- Chairman of the committee suggested initiating an informal feedback system including keeping suggestion boxes in canteen, food court, hostels and library so that the grievances and complaints can be collected without revealing the identity of the complainant.
- The student counselor/ committee members updated the status of online counseling to the students at the PES University.
- The committee also suggested that the student counselors and faculty mentors play many roles, including social and emotional, academic, and mental health during the pandemic. It was suggested to start online counseling for students and give support for holistic development of the students.
The meeting concluded by Chairman, thanking all the members.
Minutes of Internal Complaints Committee(ICC) Meeting
Meeting Code: PESU/ICC/2020-21 -#1:
The Internal Complaints Committee meeting #3 was convened on 10-12-2020 at the Boardroom from 02.30 pm to 4 pm to discuss the following agenda points:
- Action Taken Report of the suggestions made in previous meeting dated: 05-08-2020
- Status of personal counseling to the PES University students
- Awareness pertaining to women safety for the faculty and students at the pandemic.
- Status of implementation of Suggestion boxes in Canteen, Food court, Hostels and Library
- Any report of Sexual harassment in the PES University campus.
- Safety and security of female students, faculty members and staff.
The meeting started with the Chairman discussing the action taken as per the suggestions given by the committee members on 05-08-2020. Subsequently the Chairman opened the discussion on the agenda points
- The committee members updated the status of counseling to the students including social and emotional, academic, and mental health during the pandemic.
- The Committee decided to organize awareness pertaining to women safety for the faculty and students at the pandemic to promote awareness to encourage and foster a respectful and safe environment.
- The members reported that there was no report of Sexual harassment in the PES University and upon any case being registered, to be addressed by this five-member committee which include Registrar, Dean Student Affairs, Chairman, Convener, Counselor and concerned department ICC member.
- Chairman reviewed the implementation status of suggestion boxes in Canteen, Food court, Library and hostels. Suggestions were compiled and were reviewed. Many suggestions are related to starting an international multi cuisine food court and hostel mess. It was decided to take up the matter with the vendors.
- The Committee decided to communicate to the University, the installation of more CCTVs on campus, appointing female security officers, etc., to provide more safety and security for female students, faculty members and staff.
- The committee decided to communicate that giving more emphasis on personal counseling through student mentorship programs, is one of the best practices followed in the PES University and can help to address any issues pertaining to the students at PES University.
- The committee also suggested that the student counselors and faculty mentors play many roles, including social and emotional, academic, and mental health during the pandemic. It was suggested to start online counseling for students and give support for holistic development of the students.
The meeting concluded by Chairman, thanking all the members.
Minutes of Internal Complaints Committee(ICC) Meeting
Meeting Code: PESU/ICC/2020-21 -#2:
The Internal Complaints Committee meeting #4 was convened on 16-07-2021 at the Boardroom from 11.30 am to 1 pm to discuss the following agenda points:
- Action Taken Report of the suggestions made in previous meeting dated: 10-12-2020
- Status of Personal counseling to the PES University students
- Any report of Sexual harassment in the PES University campus.
- Safety and security of female students, faculty members and staff.
- Personal counseling to the PES University students
- Review of suggestions collected from the suggestion boxes regarding safety and security of hostel inmates and any incidents on ragging, sexual harassment and drug abuse etc
The meeting started with the Chairman discussing the action taken as per the suggestions given by the committee members on 10-12-2020. Subsequently the Chairman opened the discussion on the agenda points
- The committee members updated the visit to the Hostel, classrooms and the department and also decided to follow the schedule prepared for the visit to the Hostel, classrooms and the various departments of the PES University.
- The Committee decided to organize Guest Lectures pertaining to women safety for the faculty and students at the PES University to promote awareness about sexual harassment through educational initiatives those encourages and foster a respectful and safe campus environment.
- The members reported that there was no report of Sexual harassment in the PES University and upon any case being registered, to be addressed by this five-member committee which include Registrar, Dean Student Affairs, Chairman, Convener, Counselor and concerned department ICC member.
- The Committee decided to communicate to the University, the installation of more CCTVs on campus, appointing female security officers, etc., to provide more safety and security for female students, faculty members and staff.
- The committee decided to communicate that, giving more emphasis on personal counseling through student mentorship programs, is one of the best practices followed in the PES University, and can help to address any issues pertaining to the students at PES University.
- The committee also suggested that the student counselors and faculty mentors play many roles, including social and emotional, academic, and mental health during the pandemic. It was suggested to follow online/offline counseling for students and give support for holistic development of the students.
- Members of the committee reviewed the suggestions collected from the suggestion boxes regarding safety and security of hostel inmates and any incidents on sexual harassment and drug abuse. No such significant cases or feedback were received. However, the chairman suggested that the members and the hostel wardens initiate meetings with girl hostel inmates and ensure that the systems are in place.
The meeting concluded by Chairman, thanking all the members.
Minutes of Internal Complaints Committee(ICC) Meeting
Meeting Code: PESU/ICC/2021-22 -#1:
The Internal Complaints Committee meeting #5 was convened on 25-11-2021 at the Boardroom from 2.30 pm to 4 pm to discuss the following agenda points:
- Action Taken Report of the suggestions made in previous meeting dated: 16-07-2021
- Nomination of members to Internal Complaints Committee
- Creating the awareness pertaining to women safety for the faculty and students
- Any report of Sexual harassment in the PES University campus.
- Safety and security of female students, faculty members and staff.
- Status of conducing meetings with girl’s hostel inmates to discuss any issues about sexual harassment, safety and security in the hostel premises.
The meeting started with the Chairman discussing the action taken as per the suggestions given by the committee members on 16-07-2021. Subsequently the Chairman opened the discussion on the agenda points
- The committee prepared a schedule for visiting the department and girls’ hostel by the Complaints Committee members and also discussed the inclusion of the members nominated from department / section/ hostel of the PES University
- The committee decided to conduct an orientation program on safety and security of the women employees and students in PES University.
- The committee discussed the circulation of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act and Rule 2013, The Handbook on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace, (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act and Rule 2013 issued by Ministry of Women and Child Development to all the women employees and students of girl’s hostel.
- Suggested to have a complaint Drop box in the office premises. Any complaint regarding Sexual harassment against women can be communicated to the Chairman, Internal Complaints Committee or can be communicated to the office of Chairman through the Internal Complaints Committee members
- There was no complaint received by the Chairman regarding Sexual harassment in the PES University
- The PES University is completely under CCTVs surveillance and has appointed more female security officers, to provide more safety and security for female students, faculty members and staff and also to monitor any kind of act in the PES University.
- Chairman of the committee reviewed the status of conducting meetings by ICC members along with hostel warden of the Girls hostels. The minutes of the meeting were reviewed. Few girls have expressed concerns about availability of more sanitary napkins and emergency medicines especially during night. The committee expressed the essential over the counter drugs and sanitary napkins to be made available to girls in the hostel. Chairman expressed that the suggestion will be taken up with the management for suitable action.
Minutes of Internal Complaints Committee(ICC) Meeting
Meeting Code: PESU/ICC/2021-22 -#2:
The Internal Complaints Committee meeting #6 was convened on 06-04-2022 at the Boardroom from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm to discuss the following agenda points:
- Action Taken Report of the suggestions made in previous meeting dated: 25-11-2021
- Monitoring, Personal counseling and awareness creation to the PES University students
- Any report of Sexual harassment in the PES University campus.
- Safety and security of female students, faculty members and staff.
- Implementation of keeping over the counter medicines and sanitary napkins in the girl’s hostel.
- Any other suggestions
The meeting started with the Chairman discussing the action taken as per the suggestions given by the committee members on 25-11-2021. Subsequently the Chairman opened the discussion on the agenda points
- The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act and Rule 2013, The Handbook on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace, (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act and Rule 2013 issued by Ministry of Women and Child Development circulated to all the women employees and students of girl’s hostel.
- The Committee noted that no complaint of sexual harassment has been received from any girl’s students and women employee of PES University either in written form or mail.
- The Internal Complaints Committee members name and contact numbers are circulated in the PES University and asked to display in the notice board
- Committee suggested that all the members to be vigil and visit the department and hostel as per the schedule to ensure Safety and security of female students, faculty members and staff of the PES University
- The Committee suggested that all the girl’s students and women employee of the PES University should not get fear and hide any incident regarding sexual harassment during the travel from home to college.
- Internal Complaints Committee should create and ensure a safe environment that is free of sexual harassment, including safety from persons/ visitors coming into contact at workplace.
- Committee members reviewed the status of implementation of keeping emergency medicines which are over the counter drugs and sanitary napkins in the girl’s hostel. Members said that many hostel inmates have expressed happiness about this move.
- The committee has suggested to conduct a workshop on Self Defense.
The meeting concluded by Chairman, thanking all the members.