Support Systems

Support Systems

Student and Staff Support Services.

Internal Complaints Committee to deal with Instances of Sexual harassment.

The college has zero tolerance toward incidents of sexual harassment. A special presentation on sexual harassment is conducted for newly inducted UG and PG students and their parents, in which the College reaffirms its commitment towards maintaining a secure campus for women and the available redress mechanisms for addressing any such issues. The College’s policy regarding the same is notified in the College Calendar with the names of the ICC members and emergency contact numbers, which are also be displayed in prominent locations on the campus. Complaint boxes will be kept in locations easily accessible to women students. A quarterly assessment of the functioning of the ICC is done to anticipate and prevent laxity or negligence in its work.

Internal Complaints Committee members:

Dr. Bindu M. Dept. of Physical Edu. Chairperson
Ms.Smitha Roy, HoD Chemistry
Dr. Shimi Paul, Dept. of Malayalam
Ms. Baby Rani, (NGO/Legal member)
Dr. M. Anilkumar, Dept. of Botany
Emergency nos.8075700820, 9495390766, 9961820904

Womens’ Cell

A Women’s Cell also functions parallel to the ICC for continuous learning of the prevailing patriarchal ways of exercising power over women, for gender sensitization, and to empower women students to seek redress mechanisms

Career Guidance and Placement Cell

The Career Guidance and Placement Cell is central to any higher educational institution of Liberal Arts and Science background. The College through its CGPC enables students to pursue academic and career opportunities by helping them to set long term and short term goals which would help them to engage in their academic pursuit with a greater sense of direction, purpose and fulfilment.Placement orientation programs are organized to encourage newly inducted students to join the Placement Cell. Students are given career guidance starting from the first year respective to the subjects they lean and are made aware of their own interests, skills and capabilities. They are also trained on specific skills and abilities required for different jobs, to help them match up to what is required in the job market.

The Placement Cell also provides complete support to the registered students and companies at every stage of placement process. Arrangements for Pre-Placement Talks, Written Tests, Interviews and Group Discussions are made as per the requirements of the visiting companies. Mock Interviews are conducted for the students often to make them aware of their strengths and weaknesses.The Cell creates a platform for reputed companies to select the best candidates from the campus, whom they can train for specific positions in their establishments. In addition, the CGPC helps to students to find placements in various government jobs, industrial establishments, and other NGO sectors.  The programs under the aegis of the CGPC, help students to be better prepared to face challenges in a competitive world.

Ms. Sheethal V. R, Placement officer,
Union Christian College, Aluva-2
placement@uccollege.edu.in

BLISS: Basic Living Skills Service Center
(Counselling centre of the college)

The counselling centrewas established by the Department of Psychology in 2000, taking into account the growing psychological needs of the college community. The counselling centre was renovated and relocated to a room on the way to canteen for easy accessibility in 2015. The counselling centre was given the name BLISS (Basic Living Skills Service Centre) in order to reduce the stigma associated with counselling and to provide a positive presence. Each department appoints one teacher to be a part of the coordinating team. The counselling team includes one coordinator from each department and present and former teachers of the Psychology Department. Currently BLISS attempts to meet the mental health needs of students, teachers, and non-teaching staff free of cost. It conducts group sessions to make students aware of the counselling centre activities and also to provide short training in living skills. It also extends its services to people from outside U C college community by collecting nominal fees.

BLISS provides the followin services:

1. Psychological Assessment
2. Counselling
3. Life skills training
4. Study skills training
5. Awareness Programs

Dr. Marykutty P J, Asst. Professor in Psychology coordinates the functioning of BLISS and Dr. K. E. Leelamma, retired professor in Psychology, extends voluntary support to the program .

Reprographic Center

Takes care of the needs for internet access, taking print outs, DTP services, spiral binding, scanning etc. It functions from 9 am till 5.30 pm. It is outsourced to an agency on a pre-agreed terms and conditions with an affordable rate for students.

South Indian Bank ATM cum Extension Counter

The bank takes care of the banking needs of the faculty, non-teaching staff, students and the College, and also caters to the local community

Union Christian College Post Office

The Post Office functions from a building facing the main road, rented out from the College. It has a history of at least 7 decades. It was, initially, a DakGhar, a facility in charge of sorting, processing and delivering mail to recipients. It’s pin code is 6831 02. The Post office falls under Alwaye Postal Division of the Kerala Postal Circle.

The College Co-operative Society

A Co-operative Society has been registered for the benefit of the students and staff of the College. Stationery articles, note books, text books etc. are available for sale at the Society store. An amount of Rs. 25.00 is collected as membership fee from every newly admitted student.

9.The Union Christian College Employees Credit Co-operative Society Ltd.

This Society was functioning as a registered Co-operative Society since 1990.The Society accepts fixed deposits and recurring deposits on attractive terms and provides loans to the members at reasonable interest. All permanent members of the staff, teaching and non-teaching, are eligible to be members of the Credit Society. The Society is administered by a Board of Directors.

Non-Resident Students’ Center & Canteen

Founded in 1964, the Non-resident Student’s Center has been functioning to cater to the special needs for food, rest and recreation of large number of students who commute daily. At present it also houses a multi-gym that facilitates disciplined physical exercise. The canteen, situated at the center, caters to the college community, providing nutritious, hygienic meals and snacks at affordable prices.

Kids Dale

Established in 2015, the Kids Dale caters to the needs of working mothers in U.C. College. They can leave the child, from 6 months to 4 years, to the care of a trained personal and an Ayah during the working hours of the College. This is a service that the College provides to the majority of women staff in the College for a nominal fee. It is supervised by Dr. Marykutty P. J of the Dept. of Psychology and a committee constituted of parents.

Union Christian College, Aluva, is committed to promoting inclusive and quality education by providing a broad spectrum of scholarship opportunities to support our students’ academic journey. We offer both Government-funded scholarships and Institutional scholarships to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder meritorious and deserving students.

Non-Resident Students’ Center & Canteen

Founded in 1964, the Non-resident Student’s Center has been functioning to cater to the special needs for food, rest and recreation of large number of students who commute daily. At present it also houses a multi-gym that facilitates disciplined physical exercise. The canteen, situated at the center, caters to the college community, providing nutritious, hygienic meals and snacks at affordable prices

BLISS Counseling Center

The Counseling Center was established under the guidance of Department of Psychology in 2000, taking into account the growing psychological needs and its relevance; which caters to the needs of the student community. It was renovated, relocated and renamed as BLISS (Basic Living Skill Service) in 2015 aimed at providing better facilities, easy accessibility and positive presence.  Currently BLISS attempt to gratify the mental health needs of students, teachers, and nonteaching staff free of cost. It also extends its services to people from outside U C college community by collecting nominal fees. The faculty members also offer consultancy services to industrial units, schools and other similar organizations.

BLISS provides the following services:

1. Psychological Assessment

BLISS is equipped to conduct various kinds of psychological assessment such as interviews, observation, situational tests, psychological tests and behavioural analysis. The psychological tests are used to assess attention, memory, intelligence, aptitude, emotion, personality and neuropsychological functions

2. Counseling

Counseling is given mainly for minor mental health problems, career decisions, premarital preparation, marital and family problems and maintaining and enhancing well-being. There are students and staff who voluntarily avail these facilities. Teachers also identify the needy students and direct them to the centre. Individual as well as group counseling are provided. Predominant issues identified so far include interpersonal conflicts, social phobia, exam phobia, adjustment problems, marital difficulties, and academic difficulties. Students with major mental health problems are directed for appropriate treatment.

3. Life skills training

BLISS has conducted several sessions of life skills training program especially for newly joined and outgoing students. Each session included 60-80 students. We have attempted to incorporate the 10 core life skills, such as self-awareness, decision making, problem solving, creative thinking, critical thinking, effective communication, interpersonal relationship, coping with stress, empathy and coping with emotions, proposed by WHO.

4. Study skills training

It was found that many first year students have difficulty in adjusting to higher education requirements. Students are helped in understanding and memorizing large amount of information, adjusting to newer methods of teaching, meeting deadlines of various academic activities, preparing for exam, managing time during exams etc.

5. Awareness Programs

These are focused on improving attitude and awareness about mental health problems and thereby reducing stigma. This will facilitate needy students to avail help. BLISS also has plans to conduct awareness programs about mental health issues of adolescents for teachers so that they can better identify students who require counseling. In the present society students have become more and more targets of substance abuse and various kinds of negative peer influence. We are also aiming at sensitizing students to these serious social disasters.

6. Conducting surveys

We have attempted to conduct surveys on relevant mental health and social issues in the campus as well as in outside community as part of undergraduate student projects. These research activities would help us to understand the community which will further enable us to formulate community based intervention programmes as well as sensitize students and authorities about relevant mental health issues.

Former Heads of the Psychology Department, Rev. Thomas John and Dr. K. E. Leelamma are available at the BLISS once in a week. They are also actively involved in training programs. All the present faculty members and research scholars also whole heartedly contribute to the smooth functioning of BLISS. Those who wish to avail the facilities can contact faculty members of Psychology department.

KID’S DALE DAY CARE CENTRE

A day care center for kids was a pressing need as many young teachers with small children have joined in 2010. This was discussed in detail among the teachers and a proposal was given to UGC by the initiative of female teachers. It got sanctioned and UGC allotted 2 Lakhs rupees for the same. With the first installment an existing building was modified and converted into a day care center for kids which was named as Kid’s Dale day care center. One teacher and an assistant were appointed as staff and it started functioning on September 1^st  2015 with two children. Now there are fourteen kids.

Children spend their time by singing, dancing, playing, coloring, eating and sleeping. A variety of play materials are made available to the children. They are given opportunities to learn rhymes, to obtain toilet training, to take food on their own and to improve socialization and communication skills. Activities also help them to build trust, autonomy and initiative.  It enhances their attention and other cognitive skills.

Parents are allowed to feed children if they want and there are facilities for mothers to breast feed their children. Small school going children are also allowed to spend time in Kid’s Dale after their school hours. The Crèche is functioning on all working days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Teachers find this day care facility as a blessing as they are able to work peacefully knowing that their children are safe at a hand distance.

We have celebrated our first Anniversary on March 9^th 2017. Our little ones performed wonderfully well and they were cherished with small gifts. Parents, grandparents and teachers adored them. We also conducted a sports evening during which kids participated in various games. The kid’s Dale staff and parents are deeply appreciated for their dedicated effort in carrying out everything gracefully.

The department of works takes care of the infrastructure maintenance and planning of the college. Three faculty members of the college are given charge of this department in which around 50 management employees are working for the college .

Quarters

One of the uniqueness of Union Christian College is the Residential system providing quarters for faculty staff.

1. Chacko Hostel for Men Wardens Quarters
2. Chacko Hostel Assistant Warden’s Quarters
3. Skinner Hostel for Women Wardens Quarters, Quarters for Hostel boy & Security
4. East Hostel for Women Wardens Quarters
5. East Hostel Annex for Women Wardens Quarters
6. Principal’s Quarters
7. Holland Apartment
8. Kavadiar Quarters

Hostels

Union Christian College has six Women’s Hostels and two Men’s Hostel. Principal is the Chief Warden of all the women’s hostels.

K. Jacob Memorial East Hostel

East Hostel is one of the oldest Women’s hostels in the campus. It was established in 1939 as the first women’s Hostel with the acceptance of women for the academic programs in UCC. Its antique appearance is still maintained providing a homely atmosphere for the students. East hostel can accommodate 80 students with all facilities. Dr. Rima Joseph, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology is serving as the main warden and Ms. Regi George as resident warden.

T.B.Thomas Hostel (TBT Hostel)

T.B. Thomas (TBT) Hostel was constructed in 2006 in remembrance of Prof. T .B. Thomas, former Principal of the College. It can accommodate 41students. Ms. Minu Joyce, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry is serving as the Main warden and Ms. Mariyamma Oommen as the Resident warden.

C.T. Benjamin Hostel (CTB Hostel)

C.T. Benjamin (CTB) Hostel started functioning in 2002 and it was initially known as East-Annex Hostel. In 2006 it was renovated and renamed after C T Benjamin (CTB), one of the former principals of the College. It can house 90students. Dr. Reju Justin, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany is serving as the main warden.  Ms. Vincy Joseph is the Resident warden.

The Common mess is functioning on the third floor of the CTB hostel. Ms Aleyamma T Jacob is the Matron.

Skinner Hostel

Skinner Hostel,formerly a Men’s hostel is now turned into a Women’s hostel it also houses the residence of the Sports Hostel. Skinner Hostel can accommodate 80 students including sports students. Dr..Bindhu M, Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education is serving as the Main warden and Ms. Grace Thomas is the resident warden of the hostel.

Skinner Hostel Annexe

A new women’s hostel has been constructed near Skinner hostel and was formally opened in June 2019. Built to accommodate 40 students and 5 teachers, the new building was funded by the UGC and the College management. Dr.Bindhu M, Assistant Professor,Department of Physical Education is the Main warden and Ms. Molly Sunny is the Resident warden.

Chacko Hostel (Men’s Hostel)

Chacko hostel is a Men’s hostel of Union Christian College. It is named after one of the founders of the college, Mr. K C Chacko, who was a saintly Christian soul who in our generation experienced, and helped others to experience in their daily life, the purpose and power of the Lord Jesus Christ. This 101 year old hostel which had housed several generations of students still encapsulates all that is best in the College’s tradition of simplicity, openness and life filled with clean laughter and concern and love for one another. It can accommodate 50 students with all necessary facilities. Dr Manu Punnen John, Assistant Professor Department of Physics is serving as the main warden and Dr. Dhanush B. Danes, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Zoology as the Non Resident warden. Mr. Ajin M.J. is the Resident Warden and Mr. Surendran is the Main cook of the hostel. The hostel is managed by Hostel Board, chaired by the Manager of the Union Christian College, Dr. K.P. Ouseph, IFS (Retd.), along with Principal and Bursar.

Sports Hostel (Men’s)

Union Christian College runs sports hostels for male students who play Hockey and Football under the hostel scheme of Kerala State Sports Council. It can accommodate 20 players with all facilities. Dr. Bindu M., Associate Professor, Dept. of Physical Education is serving as the main warden of the hostel.