Academic Year 2021 – Classes (Second Report)
Jan. 29, 2021
To: Prospective and Present Students of Meiji University
Meiji University
Academic Year 2021 – Classes (Second Report)
Through the President’s Message, dated December 17, 2020, we notified you of the "Course Management Policy for Fiscal 2021”. The number of people infected with the new coronavirus rapidly increased toward the end of the year. On January 7, 2021, the Japanese government declared a state of emergency in Tokyo and three prefectures, and the situation remains unpredictable.
Even under these circumstances and those outlined in the initial report, we will continue to make preparations for the FY 2021 classes at Meiji University, based on the policy of Meiji University's Activity Restriction Guidelines, Level 1. This means classes will be conducted face-to-face on the assumption that students will attend school, while taking thorough measures to prevent infection.
This is in line with the policy of Meiji University's Activity Restriction Guidelines, Level 1, that states classes will be conducted on the assumption that students will attend school.
Please be assured that the university has reviewed the safety precautions of the classrooms at each campus to ensure that students can attend the campuses safely. All possible measures, including separation of seats, splash prevention, and the improvement of ventilation have been taken. These measures are designed to ensure that students can attend the campus without anxiety for their safety.
However, special consideration will be given those students who are deemed to have difficulty in attending school due to unavoidable reasons, such as having underlying health conditions that are likely to become severe as a result of infection with the new coronavirus. Such students will not suffer any disadvantages in the progress of their studies because they will be able to take face-to-face classes online, for example. Click here for an overview.
Once again, we would like to ask all students to observe the principle of "Don't get corona. Don't give Corona to others." This is for the sake of our students’ future university life and for the sake of current examinees aiming to enroll at Meiji University. As Meiji University students, we ask you to behave in a socially responsible manner and thoroughly implement infection prevention and health management measures.
While praying for the novel coronavirus infection to end, the entire faculty and staff of Meiji University will do their utmost to overcome this present difficulty together with the students. We look forward to your continued understanding and cooperation.
Finally, if there is a significant change in the infection status of the novel coronavirus in the future, we will consider changing the Activity Restriction Guidelines level. Please continue to visit the Meiji University website.
Activity Restriction Guidelines Level 0
【Assuming a situation in which education and research activities can be conducted without the need for measures against infectious diseases】
All classes to be conducted face-to-face.
However, classes that are deemed to be educationally more effective by being conducted online rather than face-to-face will be conducted online. Those classes that are better conducted by eliminating constraints such as physical location or real time will be conducted online.
At this level, since students, including international students, are expected to attend classes face-to-face, they should live within commuting distance of the campus.
◎Activity Restriction Guidelines Level 1
【Assuming a situation in which normal educational and research activities can be conducted under some measures, such as avoiding crowding on campus】
In principle, we would aim to hold about 70% of total classes face-to-face. In such a situation, care will be taken to avoid crowding, by increasing the space between the seats in classrooms, and other measures to prevent infection on campus.
Approximately 30% of all classes will be conducted online. (Primarily on an on-demand basis).
At this level, classes will be conducted on the assumption that students will attend campus, so students need to live within commuting distance. However, online classes will be available to students who have difficulty in attending school due to unavoidable reasons, such as having an underlying medical condition that could become severe as a result of being infected by the new coronavirus.
Activity Restriction Guidelines Level 2
【Assuming a situation in which certain restrictions on educational and research activities are necessary even after measures are taken to prevent infection within the university】
In principle, we would aim to provide about 30% of selected classes face-to-face while 70% would be conducted online. The face-to face focus would be on classes that require such teaching and on providing face-to-face classes for freshmen and sophomores. The remaining 70% of classes will be conducted online (on-demand type, real-time type, and material presentation type).
Even when face-to-face classes are conducted, online classes will also be available, in parallel, for students who have difficulty attending school because of the coronavirus infection.
When face-to-face classes are conducted preventative measures will be taken to avoid infection on campus. These will include reducing the number of students using the classrooms to avoid crowding.
At this level, classes will be mainly conducted online, but some classes will also be conducted face-to-face. Students are encouraged to decide whether or not to move within commuting distance of the campus.
Activity Restriction Guidelines level 3, level 4 and level 5
【Assuming a situation in which it is necessary to suspend educational and research activities on campus even after taking measures against infection】
All classes are to be conducted online.
At this level, Students will not be allowed to enter university premises, so there is no need to live within commuting distance of the campus. (All students will take classes from home.)
Remarks
・At all levels, it is necessary to ensure an environment in which students can take online classes. (PC, Wi-Fi, etc.) Students are asked to prepare for this.
・Please note that depending on the spread of the COVID-19 infection, we may have to change the level of class management during the semester.
Special consideration system to allow students to stay at home
In the Spring Semester of FY 2021, Meiji University will implement a special consideration system to allow students to avoid taking face-to-face classes. The university will provide online classes and allow students to attend classes at home if they are unable to attend classes or if they wish to refrain from attending classes due to the impact of the Coronavirus. To qualify for this dispensation, students’ reasons for studying from home must meet Meiji University's required standards.
Details of the system, application procedures, etc. will be announced to new students in FY 2021 through the contact information provided at the time of application. And we will inform existing students in early March through the Oh-o! Meiji system.