March 22, 2011
On the Tohoku-Pacific Coast Earthquake
Message from the Chancellor and President
On behalf of Sophia School Corporation and Sophia University, we would like to express our sincere condolences to the loss of many precious lives in the Tohoku-Pacific Coast Earthquake. We also extend our deepest sympathy to those who have lost their families or friends in this disaster. The grief from the loss of the loved ones must be overwhelming, and our thoughts and prayers are with all who have been affected.
The earthquake and the entailing tsunami, landslides, fire, and massive destruction have caused the large scale damages. In addition, the nuclear power plant crisis continues to cause great anxiety. We would like to express our sincere sympathy and respect for those who are striving to cope with the many difficulties in emergency evacuation shelters and their homes.
To Our Students
At Yotsuya Campus, we have worked on the anti-seismic reinforcement of the buildings since 2007. Thanks to that, no one was injured, and the damages to our campus facilities were limited. Many events are scheduled at the end of the academic year and the beginning of a new academic year at Sophia, and we will continue to prioritize our students’ safety in making any decisions. With that in mind, we have decided to cancel the spring graduation ceremony on March 23. This must be a great disappointment for those expecting a degree in the graduate and undergraduate programs, since it is meant to be an important and memorable day. However, we have to take this difficult but necessary measure as we take into consideration the devastation in the disaster-struck areas, the hardship faced by afflicted students, the shortage of the electricity, and the disruption of the transportation systems.
We are currently faced with unprecedented challenges and hardships. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation at the time of this national crisis, and we ask each of you to support the devastated areas and take part in rebuilding the country as an important member of the society.
To Members of the Sophia Family
Sophia University would like to thank you for warm messages and donations towards our charity fund-raising immediately following this earthquake.
I strongly believe that we can overcome this critical situation together as long as we put into practice the founding philosophy of our university, "To care for others and to serve society.” Our faculty and staff are doing their best to confront this difficult situation, and we sincerely ask for the continuing cooperation of the Sophia Family--our students, their families, alumni, faculty and staff to work together to face this hardship, and help each other and give support, financially and spiritually, to the people in need.
Prof. Toshiaki Koso S.J.
Chancellor
Sophia School Corporation
Prof. Yoshiaki Ishizawa
President
Sophia University
