Criterion IV – Infrastructure and Learning Resources
Adequate physical facilities are provided on the College campus for facilitating teaching-learning process. Spacious three-story building with sufficient number of classrooms and laboratories are put to optimum use. Equilibrium of concrete and nature on 26 acre of land is maintained by creating the chain of forests housing over 800 species of trees, shrubs, herbs and climbers. This Ecological Niche not only sustains the tranquility of the nature but also inculcates the ecological sensitivity in the students. Ecological Niche is also used as laboratory for vermiculture and conservation techniques. Cacterium and Green house not only enhance the aesthetics but are also used to teach grafting methods. By having separate shift for Arts and Science streams the building is put to optimum use. Third shift allows the College to make further use of the infrastructure. In this third shift children from neighbourhood slums are given regular coaching and given training in various skills.
Library building was expanded recently with a cost of Rs ten lakh. There is one main reading hall, reference section, text book section, periodical section and three stack rooms with more than 60 thousand books. Separate facility is provided for faculty members in the library. Some of the teaching departments are also maintaining departmental libraries. Free text books are provided to the poor from the book bank of the library. Thirty eight periodicals and Journals are subscribed by the library. Computer facility has not been extended to the library. College initiated negotiation with INFLIBNET for data entry but there has been no progress so far. Inter library borrowing facility is also not common. Formation of a library committee will take care of these problems and will enhance the efficiency of the library.
Laboratories are fully equipped with sophisticated equipments such as I.R./U.V. spectrophotometer, Flame Photometer, H.P.L.C. in Biochemistry/Biotechnology labs and Michelson’s Interferometer, Babinet’s Compensator, Hall Effect Apparatus, Constant Derivation Spectrometer, G.M. Counter, 8085 Microprocessor kit in the Physics/Electronics labs. Workshop for the maintenance of equipment is also fully equipped. A.V. Room is equipped with wide screen TV, VCR, OHP and sound system. Big open air theatre and an assembly hall facilitates holding of big functions.
Campus also houses Behavioural Science Centre, Xavier Centre for Development, Jagrat – Centre for Creative Expression, Xavier Institute of Computer Sciences and a media centre, known as Gurjarvani. All these centers are managed by the “Society of Jesus” and are equipped with ultramodern facilities. These facilities are extended to the teachers and students of the College also.
There is one server and ten terminals in the computer lab. Another server with 40 terminals in the computer centre is used for online teaching. Two P-3 PCs with internet connections are provided to the Principal and Vice Principal. Computer maintenance section takes care of any breakdown of hardware of the College computers and computers of outsider on nominal charges. Students feel that access to computers be made more liberal. At present all constituents are not permitted to use computers. Centre also remains closed during off hours and on holidays.
There is no health centre on campus. Peer team was informed that there was one in the past, which has been closed in view of the fact that the University Health Centre is a km away and provides all facilities to the College students and staff.
Outdoor sports facilities are adequate. There is a cricket ground, hockey ground, football and Basketball ground and a cinder track. There is no Gymnasium. However room is made available for table tennis and conditioning. Students make use of every facility and are on the top in achievements. They are either winners or runners up in almost all the games in which they participate at university level. They have brought honours to the College by participating in the Inter University and National championships.
There are two separate hostels for girls and boys. Girls’ hostel is away from the College campus. College canteen provides facility to day scholars and boarders. Students’ community will feel happy if photocopying facility and one STD booth is sanctioned by the authorities, somewhere near the canteen or boys’ hostel. A small guest house takes care of frequent visitors.
An extension counter of bank is also providing services to the College community from the office building of the College. Record of enrolment, fee, attendance, students’ performance in the examinations and internal assessment are computerized. Record of employees’ salary is also maintained on hard disks and floppies. This is indeed a great help to all.