[Message from TUFS President] Plans for the Upcoming Quarter
February 2, 2021
The infection status in Tokyo is trending downward and there is some hope, but the government has extended the state of emergency in ten prefectures. The situation continues to require cautious action, so please be careful and stay healthy.
Today, I have four announcements to make.
（1）
I would like to repeat my request to you all: if you feel ill, if you are identified as a close contact, or if you have taken a PCR test, please inform the university.
https://sanda.tufs.ac.jp/emergency-contact/covid19/
So far, we have received reports that fifteen people related to TUFS have been infected (fourteen students and one faculty member). Of these, ten were identified in December and January. None of them had a history of on-campus activities.
（2）
Due to the extension of the state of emergency, we have no choice but to extend the current restraint on circle activities. We ask for your understanding. However, the university facilities are still open for use. The following facilities are available to students: the Research and Lecture Building (including Zoom classrooms), the Library, and the Co-op. Please ensure that you are in good physical condition before coming to campus.
（3）
The first day of classes for the new quarter of 2021 is scheduled for Monday, April 12. The syllabus will be released in mid-February.
（4）
Classes starting in April will be conducted partly online and partly on campus. In principle, face-to-face classes and online classes will be divided as follows. In addition to the existing 1st period to 5th period, 6th period (17:40-19:10) will be added to the online classes.
《When most classes will be held online》
Monday: 1st and 6th period
Tuesday: 6th period
Wednesday: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th period
Thursday: 1st and 6th period
Friday: 1st and 6th period
《When most classes will be held on campus》
Monday: 3rd, 4th, and 5th period
Tuesday: 3rd, 4th, and 5th period
Thursday: 3rd, 4th, and 5th period
Friday: 3rd, 4th, and 5th period
《When classes will be held both online and offline》
Monday: 2nd period
Tuesday: 1st and 2nd period
Thursday: 2nd period
Friday: 2nd period
In addition, joint classes with overseas institutions will also be held on 7th period (19:20-20:50). By dividing the classes into different time slots as described above, the university aims to facilitate a mixture of on-campus and online classes. According to the current plan, the proportion of face-to-face classes is expected to be around 60-65%.
In 2020, education has changed dramatically with the addition of online classes in response to COVID-19. There is no doubt that there are many advantages to online education, especially when it comes to developing joint classes with overseas institutions. However, considering the fact that you are to become the bridge of communication in the future, our education cannot be completed only online. In April, we hope to open up new possibilities by appropriately distributing face-to-face and online classes. Of course, we will keep an eye on the situation of the pandemic to make our final decision, but we hope to be able to see you more on campus in the upcoming quarter.
HAYASHI Kayoko
President, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies