Important Notice on Fall Semester Classes

July 27, 2020

Dear undergraduate and graduate students,

Hosei University
 

Important Notice on Fall Semester Classes

Hosei University has decided on the following policy for 2020 fall semester classes. 

2020 Fall Semester Classes Policy

1. We have formulated Conduct Guidelines to Prevent Novel Coronavirus Infection (hereinafter “Conduct Guidelines(Japanese)”). Classes will be held in accordance with the conduct restriction level.
2. In light of the current state of the novel coronavirus pandemic, at this time we plan to hold fall semester classes both in person and online (Conduct Guideline levels 1-3). For courses that hold in-person classes, we are making arrangements such as enabling students to take the classes online to ensure that those who cannot come to campus do not suffer any disadvantages. This way international students who cannot come to Japan and students who live in Japan but far from Tokyo will be able to continue academic activities where they are.
3. The fall semester class schedule and regular exam schedule will be in accordance with the 2020 academic year calendar.
4. Each faculty and graduate school’s specific plans for fall semester classes will be announced in the beginning of September.​​​​

Conduct guidelines for educational activities to prevent novel coronavirus infection

Hosei University’s Basic Policy Regarding the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic

1.      Spring semester classes
Due to the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus since mid-March, the national government declaring a state of emergency, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government requesting that universities and other schools temporarily cancel classes, Hosei University decided to close all campuses, delay the start of spring semester classes by two weeks, and start holding classes online from April 21. At this time, classes are as a rule being held online with a small portion of experiments and practical training classes held in person in a limited manner.

We implemented these measures because we believe they are essential to protect the lives and health of our students and their loved ones.

While taking such measures to prevent the spread of infection, the university also worked to bring back campus functions for the spring semester by reevaluating conduct restrictions in light of the state of the pandemic and relaxing restrictions on entering campus in accordance.​​​

2.　Fall semester classes
We have been considering how to handle fall semester classes based on our experiences in the spring semester, but recently the novel coronavirus has begun to spread again, and serious problems remain such as infection spreading among young people. This is a concern especially for this university, as we are located in Tokyo and most students live in a wide area spanning Tokyo and three other neighboring prefectures. The same is true for most of the teaching staff, so we need to make very careful decisions about holding classes in person, as it would create a situation where a large number of students would come to campus from a wide area.

In light of factors such as the state of the pandemic and the university’s circumstances, we have established conduct guidelines to respond to the ever-changing state of the pandemic in order to enable us to carry out campus activities in accordance with the circumstances as they change.

Considering the current state of the pandemic, we expect that fall semester classes will be held at levels 1-3.

Level 3 assumes that educational activities will be carried out under grim circumstances, so under this level, classes will only be held online as a rule, although some classes such as experiments and practical training will be held in person with thorough infection prevention measures put in place.

Under level 2, classes will be held online as a rule, but lectures with a small number of students, seminars, experiments, and practical training classes may be held in person with the utmost care taken to prevent infection.

Under level 1, in-person classes will be held with care taken to prevent infection and an active effort will be made to use online classes. For courses that hold in-person classes, we are making arrangements such as enabling students to take the classes online to ensure that those who cannot come to campus do not suffer any disadvantages.

By making changes to in-person classes based on the level, we will be able to hold in-person classes while restricting the total number of people on campus, and continue educational activities by holding them in conjunction with online classes.

This is an unprecedented pandemic which has never been experienced by humanity. We realize that students now have less or no opportunity to go to campus and are concerned and unsatisfied about being unable to lead full university lives. The university is taking a variety of measures to support students’ university lives, such as providing office hours in addition to in-person classes and opportunities for interacting with other students face-to-face and otherwise and receiving support from teaching staff.

Please make sure you understand the university’s basic policy stated above, and continue your day-to-day academic activities in accordance.