January 7, 2021
Yoshiaki Terumichi, President of Sophia University

Just after welcoming the new year, we are challenged with ever-increasing COVID-19 infections in the Tokyo metropolitan area, to the extent that a State of Emergency Declaration has been announced. I am sure that your anxiety has increased with rising infection risk.

Given the State of Emergency Declaration, we have discussed how Sophia University will address the situation and have decided to follow our original plans of continuing both in-person and online classes. Students enrolled in courses offered in-person may join their classes online in case of associated health risk concerns. This will not put students at a disadvantage. Experiments and other research activities required for graduation will be continued, and library and other facilities and services supporting these activities will be maintained. Sophia University has engaged in research and education activities by taking precautionary measures against infection, including keeping track of who is on campus, temperature checks, and securing sufficient social distance when using classrooms. This current Declaration does not impose restrictions on educational institutions; and therefore, we have decided to continue our research and education activities taking careful precautions. However, if the situation should worsen, we may need to take further measures to secure the safety of our students, faculty and staff. Please pay careful attention to announcements from the university.

On the other hand, we will unfortunately need to ask students to suspend in-person extracurricular activities. I am strongly aware that you have made every effort to prevent infections to date. I am also very grateful for and respect your Sophian spirit in providing freshman students with support in various dimensions. While I regret that we must restrict extracurricular activities, I would like to ask you to consider this to be a way of contributing to social restoration and to prepare for future activities to be resumed once the State of Emergency Declaration has been lifted.

The Student Center and Counseling Center will continue to receive consultations on psychological insecurity and economic concerns even under a State of Emergency. The Career Center will also continue to offer online consultation and various videos to support your career search.

As already announced, classes will be delivered mainly in person in AY2021 with some classes offered on-demand. We must make every effort to stop the spread of infections and overcome these current challenges in order to protect your health and that of your families, and to eventually fully resume on-campus activities. Please continue to be responsible for your actions and endeavor to prevent infections. We may not be able to see an end to our struggle with COVID-19 in the immediate future, but let us believe in our potential strengths and overcome these critical times with others around the world who are facing challenges.