Guidelines on Anti-harassment

At Lovely Professional University, we take our commitment to inclusivity and safety seriously. Our university is dedicated to fostering an environment where discrimination and harassment have no place. To uphold this commitment, we have implemented a range of policies designed to protect the rights and well-being of our students and staff, including

  • Anti-ragging policy
  • Student grievance redressal policy
  • Anti-Sexual harassment policy.

These policies reflect our dedication to ensuring that every member of our diverse community is treated with respect and dignity.

Anti Ragging Policy

(Reviewed: 2022)

The University is committed to zero tolerance policy, towards ragging. Ragging is totally prohibited in the University and anyone found guilty of ragging and/or abetting ragging, whether actively or passively, or being a part of a conspiracy to promote ragging, is liable to be punished in accordance with UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009 as well as under the provisions of any penal law for the time being in force.

SHORT TITLE AND APPLICATION

1. This policy shall be called as the "Anti-Ragging Policy of the Lovely Professional University".
2. This policy shall be applicable to all the students of the Lovely Professional University.
3. This policy shall come into force with immediate effect.

OBJECTIVES

This policy aims at:
Discouraging, prohibiting and preventing acts of ragging on the part Of students;
Providing information about preventive, procedural and punitive aspects of ragging;
Creating and encouraging a healthy and conducive socio-academic environment within the student community; and
Generating and maintaining a high level of confidence within students and their parents/guardians.

ACTS THAT CONSTITUTE RAGGING

As per UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Education Institutions, 2009, as amended vide University Grants Commission Notification No. F. 1- 15/2009 (ARC) dated 29th June, 2016, Ragging constitutes one or more of any of the following acts:

  1. Any conduct by any student or students whether by words spoken or written or by an act which has the effect of teasing, treating- or handling with rudeness a fresher or any other student;
  2. Indulging in rowdy or indisciplined activities by any student or students which causes or is likely to cause annoyance, hardship, physical or psychological harm or to raise fear or apprehension thereof in any fresher or any other student;
  3. Asking any student to do any act which such student will not in the ordinary course do and which has the effect of causing or generating sense of shame, or torment or embarrassment so as to adversely affect the physique or psyche of such fresher or any other student;
  4. Any act by a senior student that prevents, disrupts or disturbs the regular academic activity of any other student or a fresher;
  5. Exploiting the services of a fresher or any other student for completing the academic tasks assigned to any individual or a group of students;
  6. Any act of financial extortion or forceful expenditure burden put on a fresher on or any, other student by students;
  7. Any act of physical abuse including all variants of it; sexual abuse, homosexual assaults, stripping, forcing obscene and lewd acts, gestures, causing bodily harm or any other danger to health or person;
  8. Any act or abuse by spoken words, email, post, public insu1ts, which would also include deriving perverted pleasure, vicarious or sadistic thrill from actively or passively participating in the discomfiture to fresher or any other student;
  9. Any act that affects the mental health and self-confidence of a fresher or any other student;
  10. Any act of physical or mental abuse (including bullying and exclusion) targeted At another student (fresher or otherwise) on the ground of colour, race, religion, caste, ethnicity, gender ( including transgender), sexual orientation, appearance, nationality, regional origins, linguistic identity, place of birth, place of residence or economical background:

MEASURES FOR PROHIBITION AND PREVENTION OF RAGGING:

Certain measures for prohibiting and preventing its occurrence in the Universities are as below:

  1. The Vice-Chancellor shall address meeting of various staff and senior officers, representative of students, parents, faculty, local media, civil and police administration during every session to review and discuss the anti-ragging measures.
  2. The Anti-Ragging Committee of the University shall be constituted and headed by the Vice Chancellor and shall comprise of representatives of civil and police administration, local media, non- government organization, faculty members, students, parents and non-teaching- staff.
  3. The Anti-Ragging Squad shall be constituted by the Vice-Chancellor to maintain vigil and keep check on the menace of ragging. The Anti-Ragging Squad shall make raids in academics, residential and other areas in the campus.
  4. Fresher(s) and other student(s), whether being victims or witnesses in any incident of ragging are advised to promptly report such occurrence to the Anti-Ragging helpline. The students may also contact the concerned University officials in this regard.
  5. All the students and their parents/guardians shall submit undertaking as Prescribed by the University with regard to the student not to indulge in any behaviour/act of ragging.
  6. Details of members of Anti-Ragging Committee and Anti-Ragging Squad should be given on the University website.
  7. Printed booklet containing UGC Regulations on curbing the menace of ragging in full along with additional leaflet drawing attention of the students to consequences of ragging and advising to restrain from indulging in ragging will be given at the time of admission.
  8. Induction and orientation programme for fresher students may also be conducted.
  9. Contact numbers of the security officials, residential staff and concerned officials may also be placed on the University website for the information of the students.

PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING AND ENQUIRY

The aggrieved student or parent/guardian may report the occurrence of an incident of ragging to Anti- Ragging Squad which shall conduct enquiry into the incident and the enquiry report along with recommendations shall be submitted to the Anti-Ragging Committee.
The Anti-Ragging Squad shall conduct enquiry by observing a fair procedure and principles of natural justice and after giving adequate opportunity to the student(s) accused of ragging and other witnesses to place before it the facts, documents and views concerning the incident of ragging and considerations such other relevant information as deem necessary.

PUNISHMENTS IN THE EVENT OF RAGGING:

  1. The University shall punish a student found guilty of ragging after following the enquiry procedure and in the manner prescribed hereunder:
    1. The Anti-Ragging Committee shall take an appropriate decision With Regard to punishment or otherwise, depending on the facts of the incident of ragging and nature and gravity of the incident of ragging in consideration of the recommendations of the Anti- Ragging Squad.
    2. The Anti-Ragging Committee may, depending on the nature and gravity of the guilt established by the Anti-Ragging Squad, award, to those found guilty, one or more of the following punishments, namely;
      1. Suspension from attending classes and academic privileges;
      2. Withholding/withdrawing scholarship/fellowship and other benefits;
      3. Debarring from appearing in any test/examination or other evaluation process;
      4. Withholding results;
      5. Debarring from representing the University in any regional, national or international meet, tournament, youth festival etc.
      6. Suspension/Expulsion from the hostel;
      7. Cancellation of admission;
      8. Rustication from the University;
      9. Expulsion from the University and consequent debarring from admission to any other institution;
      10. Other disciplinary action(s) as deem appropriate;
      11. Provided that where the persons committing or abetting the act of ragging are not identified, collective punishment may be awarded.
Appeal against the order of the punishment awarded by the Anti-Ragging Committee shall lie to Pro-Chancellor of the University, which should be filed within a period of fifteen days from such order.

MISCELLANEOUS

  1. The University reserves the right to update, revise, modify, amend, repeal and/or revoke this policy at any stage in whole or in part(s) and make the same effective from such a date as it may deem appropriate from time to time.
  2. This policy is in supersession of the Anti-Ragging Policy of the University earlier in force.
  3. The University official as prescribed herein may delegate respective power(s) and function(s) to other University official(s) for the purpose of this policy and matters related thereto as may deem appropriate from time to time.
  4. This policy does not limit or restrain in any manner the University's right to take any measure(s) to consider, deal with and redress any/all the complaint(s)of ragging and matter relating thereto and the University shall reserve that right at all time.
  5. The University reserves the right to remove any difficulty in the course of implementation of this policy and/or to exercise its discretion with respect to any or all of the clauses of this policy as it may deem appropriate from time to time.
  6. Notwithstanding anything stated in this policy or anywhere else, for any unforeseen issues arising that are not covered by this policy or in the event of conflict of the opinion with regard to interpretation of any/all provision of this policy and in respect to all the maters concerned with this policy, whether expressly provided herein or not, the Registrar may take such decision as deem appropriate for the purpose.

Student Grievance Redressal Policy

(Reviewed: 2022)

SHORT TITLE AND APPLICATION

1.1. This policy shall be called as the “student Grievance Redressal Policy of the Lovely Professional University”.
1.2. This policy shall be applicable to all the students of the Lovely Professional University.
1.3. This policy shall come into force with immediate effect.

OBEJECTIVES

This policy aims to provide information about certain mechanisms of the University for redressal of certain grievance of the students as prescribed herein.

DEFINITON

In the policy, unless the context otherwise requires:
3.1. “aggrieved student” means a student, who has any complaint in the matters relating to the grievance defined under the policy;
3.2. “Departmental Student Grievance Redressal Committee” (DSGRC) means a committee constituted at the level of School or Faculty and/or otherwise as prescribed by university;
3.3. “grievance” means the grievance/complaint made by the aggrieved student in respect of matters prescribed under the UGC (Redress of Grievance of Students) Regulations, 2019 as in force from time to time and/or otherwise as prescribed by University;
3.4. “Institutional Student Grievance Redressal Committee” ( ISGRC) means a committee for dealing with certain grievances related to hostels and other facilities and/or other matters as prescribed;
3.5. “University” means the Lovely Professional University; and
3.6. “University Student Grievance Redressal Committee” (USGRC) means a committee constituted for dealing with grievances arising out of decisions of the ISGRC or DSGRC.

STUDENT GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL MECHANISM

4.1 Departmental Student Grievance Redressal Committee (DSGRC) 4.1.1 The Departmental Student Grievances Redressal Committee(s) (DSGRC) shall have the following composition, namely:
a. Head of the Faculty/School/Department, by whatever designation known or equivalent-Chairperson;
b. Two Professors from outside the Faculty/School/Department, as the case may be – Members;
c. One faculty member to be nominated by the Chairperson – Member;
d. One Student – Special Invitee.
4.1.2 The term of the members of the DSGRC and the special invitee shall be of upto two years.
4.1.3 The quorum for the meeting of DSGRC, including the Chairperson, but excluding the special invitee, shall be three.
4.2 Institutional Student Grievance Redressal Committee (ISGRC) 4.2.1 The Institutional Student Grievance Redressal Committee (ISGRC) shall have the following composition, namely:
a. Dean/Senior Professor or equivalent – Chairperson;
b. Head, Division of Students Welfare or equivalent – Member;
c. One senior academic, other than the Chairperson – Member;
d. One Senior academic – Member;
e. One Student – Special Invitee.
4.2.2. The term of the Chairperson and members of the committee shall be of up to two years.
4.2.3. The quorum for the meetings of the ISGRC, including the Chairperson, but excluding the special invitee, shall be three.
University Student Grievance Redressal Committee ( USGRC) 4.3.1 The Vice Chancellor may constitute such number of University Student Grievance Redressal committee (USGRC), as deem appropriate to consider the grievance arising out of decision of the DSGRC and/or ISGRC, with the following composition, namely:
a. A senior professor – Chairperson;
b. Head, Division of Student Welfare or Equivalent – Member;
c. Two Head of Schools, other than those connected with reports of DSGRC/ISGRC under review – Member;
d. One Professor – Member;
e. One Student – Special Invitee.
4.3.2. The Chairperson, members and the special invitee shall have a term of up to Two Years.
4.3.3. The quorum for the meeting, including the Chairperson, but excluding the special invitee, shall be three.
4.4 An appeal against the decision of the University Student Grievance Redressal Committee may be filled by the aggrieved party before the Vice - Chancellor within a period of fifteen days from the date of the such decision.
4.5 The concerned Student Grievance Redressal Committee(s) in considering grievances before it shall follow the principles of nature justice.
4.6 Student grievances and related matters shall also be dealt with by Division of Student Relation as prescribed.
4.7 Students may also submit grievance on the Relationship Management System (RMS) of the University which are to be dealt with and resolved by the concerned officials of the university as prescribed.
4.8 If the grievance is found false or malicious or the same is made knowing it to be untrue, or forged or misleading information is provided during the inquiry or otherwise, the University may award punishment to the student/complainant in such event.

MISCELLANEOUS

5.1 The University reserves the rights to update, revise, modify, amend, repeal and/or revoke this policy at any stage in whole or in part(s) and make the same effective from such a date as it may deem appropriate from time to time.
5.2 This policy is in supersession of the Student Grievance Redressal Policy of the University earlier in force.
5.3 The University official(s) as prescribed herein may delegate respective power(s) and function(s) to other university official(s) for the purpose of this policy and matters related thereto as may deem appropriate from time to time.
5.4 This policy does not limit or restrain in any manner the University's right to take any measure(s) to consider, deal with and redress any/all the students grievance(s) and matter relating thereto and the University shall reserve that right at all times.
5.5 The university reserves the right/power to remove any difficulty in the course of implementation of this policy and to exercise its discretion with respect to any or all of the clauses of this policy as it may deem appropriate from time to time.
5.6 Notwithstanding anything stated in this policy or anywhere else, for any unforeseen issues arising that are not covered by this policy or in the event of conflict of the opinion with regard to interpretation of any/all provisions of this policy and in respect to all the maters concerned with this policy, whether expressly provided herein or not, the Registrar may take such decision as deem appropriate for the purpose.

Anti Sexual Harassment Policy

(Reviewed: 2022)

The University is committed to zero tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and anyone found guilty of the same shall be liable to be punished as per the University Grants Commission (Prevention, prohibition and redressal of sexual harassment of women employees and students in higher educational institutions) Regulations, 2015 as in force as well as under the penal provisions of any law for the time being in force.

1. SHORT TITLE AND APPLICATION:

1.1 This policy shall be called as the "Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy of the Lovely Professional University".
1.2 This policy shall be applicable to all the students and staff of the Lovely Professional University.
1.3 This policy shall come into force with immediate effect.

2. OBJECTIVES

2.1 This policy aims at :

i) Discouraging, prohibiting and preventing acts of sexual harassment;
ii) Providing information about preventive, procedural and punitive aspects of the acts ofsexual harassment; and
iii) Promoting healthy and conducive environment within the student and staff community.

3. ACTS THAT CONSTITUTE SEXUAL HARRASSMENT

3.1 As per the University Grants Commission (Prevention, prohibition and redressal of sexual harassment of women employees and students in higher educational institutions) Regulations, 2015, Sexual Harassment constitutes the following acts:

i. An unwanted conduct with sexual undertones if it occurs or which is persistent and which demeans, humiliates or creates a hostile and intimidating environment or is calculated to induce submission by actual or threatened adverse consequences and includes any one or more or all of the following unwelcome acts or behaviour (whether directly or by Implication), namely;-

(a) any unwelcome physical, verbal or non verbal conduct of sexual nature;
(b) demand or request for sexual favours;
(c) making sexually coloured remarks
(d) physical contact and advances; or
(e) showing pornography

ii. any one (or more than one or all) of the following circumstances, if it occurs or is present in relation or connected with any behaviour that has explicit or implicit sexual undertones-

(a) implied or explicit promise of preferential treatment as quid pro quo for sexual favours;
(b) implied or explicit threat of detrimental treatment in the conduct of work;
(c) implied or explicit threat about the present or future status of the person concerned;
(d) creating an intimidating offensive or hostile learning environment;
(e) Humiliating treatment likely to affect the health, safety dignity or physicalintegrity of the person concerned.

4. GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL MECHANISM:

4.1 The Registrar shall constitute an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) for redressal of grievances of sexual harassment which should have the following composition:

i) Presiding Officer, who should be a woman faculty member of the university at senior level or equivalent;
ii) Two faculty members and two non-teaching staff members preferably committed to the cause of women or who have had experience in social work or have legal knowledge;
iii) One member from non-government organization or association preferably committed to the cause of women or a person familiar with issues relating to sexual harassment; and
iv) Three students, if matter involves students, preferably enrolled at >Undergraduate/ master's or research scholar level.

4.2 At least one-half of the total members of the ICC should be women.
4.3 The term of office of the presiding officer and all other members of ICC shall be upto a period of three years.
4.4 The ICC shall comply with the procedure for redressal of grievances of sexual harassment as prescribed in the University Grants Commission (Prevention, prohibition and redressal of sexual harassment of women employees and students in higher educational institutions) Regulations, 2015 as in force.
4.5 The aggrieved student/staff as the case may be may make in writing, a complaint of sexual harassment to the ICC, within three months from the date of the incident provided further that the ICC may extend the time limit not exceeding three months, if it is satisfied that the circumstances were such which prevented the person from filing a complaint within the said period.
4.6 The aggrieved person may seek conciliation in order to settle the matter and in that event the ICC may conduct proceeding of conciliation process.
4.7 The ICC shall conduct inquiry and submit its report with recommendations, if any, to the Registrar of the University.
4.8 The Registrar shall in consideration of the report and the recommendations of the ICC, take decision in the matter.
4.9 An appeal against the recommendations of the ICC may be filed by either party before the Registrar of the university within a period of thirty days from the date of recommendations of ICC.
4.10 A show cause notice, shall be served on the party against whom action, if any, is decided to be taken in the matter and further action shall be taken after considering the reply or hearing the aggrieved person.
4.11 The university may take such measures, interim or otherwise, as deem appropriate in the matter concerned.

5. PUNISHMENT

5.1 The university may punish the student/staff found guilty of the sexual harassment in accordance with the disciplinary measures for misconduct as prescribed by the university.
5.2 In the event of a student found guilty of the sexual harassment, depending upon the severity of the offence, the university may also-

i. withhold privileges of the student such as access to the library, auditoria, halls of residence, transportation, scholarships, allowances, identity card etc.;
ii. suspend or restrict entry into the campus for a specific period;
iii. expel and strike off name from the rolls of the university, also including denial of readmission etc.;
iv. award reformative pW1ishments like mandatory counselling, performance of community services etc.;
v. Take such other disciplinary action(s) as deem appropriate.

5.3 The University may also issue direction for payment of the compensation to the aggrieved person to be recovered from the offender/guilty, if so deem appropriate subject to the concerned regulations in this regard.
5.4 Appeal against the order of punishment, if any, shall lie to the Vice-Chancellor of the university which shall be filed within a period of fifteen days from passing of the said order.

6. ACTION AGAINST FRIVILOUS COMPLAINT OF SEXUAL HARRASSMENT:

6.1 If the complaint of sexual harassment is found false or malicious or the complaint was made knowing it to be untrue, or forged or misleading information is provided during the inquiry or otherwise, the University may award punishment to the complainant in such event as per punishment(s) prescribed in this policy.

7. MISCELLANEOUS

7.1 The University reserves the right to update, revise, modify, amend, repeal and/or revoke this policy at any stage in whole or in part(s) and make the same effective from such a date as it may deem appropriate from time to time.
7.2 This policy is in supersession of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy of the University earlier in force.
7.3 The University official(s) as prescribed herein may delegate respective power(s) and function(s) to other university official(s) for the purpose of this policy and matters related thereto as may deem appropriate from time to time.
7.4 This policy does not limit or restrain in any manner the University's right to take any measure(s) to consider, deal with and redress any/all the complaint(s) of sexual harassment and matter relating there to and the University shall reserve that right at all times.
7.5 The University reserves the right/power to remove any difficulty in the course of implementation of this policy and to exercise its discretion with respect to any or all of the clauses of this policy as it may deem appropriate from time to time.
7.6 Notwithstanding anything stated in this policy or anywhere else, for any unforeseen issues arising that are not covered by this policy or in the event of conflict of the opinion with regard to interpretation of any/all provision of this policy and in respect to all the maters concerned with this policy, whether expressly provided herein or not, theRegistrar may take such decision as deem appropriate for the purpose.