27 3.4 Student Support 3.4.1 University Support: Meetings for Exchange of Views with Students In order to understand students’ actual experiences, as well as students’ opinions and requests, and to use the findings to improve student support and campus life, the University conducts a student life survey of all students every three years. In the past, following incorporation in FY2004, opportunities were created for the president to meet directly with representatives of student organizations. Representing the students, participants included officers of the student association, the general committee, the university festival executive committee, and the class representatives’ council. Representing the University, participants included the president, the vice president for education, the secretary general, and the student affairs director. These meetings were held about three times a year, during which the University introduced its current situation and students presented their opinions and requests, allowing frank exchanges of views. Although there was a period during which such meetings were not held, since FY2014 they have been conducted in the form of “Meetings for Exchange of Views between the President and Students.” In FY2014, undergraduate and graduate students selected at random took part in meetings with the president. From FY2015 onward, participants were selected from among the undergraduate and graduate class representatives. In FY2018 and FY2019, the meetings were held with students other than class representatives. In FY2020, class representatives attended, and in FY2021, extracurricular activity groups attended. Based on past student life surveys and meetings with the president, students’ opinions and requests have generally remained similar over time. In particular, many requests concern (1) classes and the learning environment, (2) the price and portion size of meals in welfare facilities such as the cafeteria, and (3) the environment for extracurricular activities, since these are indispensable aspects of student life. In recent years, the number of student consultations has continued to increase, and the University must maintain a robust support system to respond appropriately. The University has made efforts to collect as many student opinions and requests as possible and to reflect them where feasible. Given budgetary constraints, it is difficult to implement improvements immediately, but efforts are made to improve the student living environment while taking priorities into account. Improvements carried out include renovation of lecture buildings, renovation of welfare facilities, establishment of new commons spaces, renewal of contracted service providers, installation of additional vending machines, establishment of a new training gym, installation of lighting for the athletics field, and improvement of the campus environment including research buildings and student dormitories. Although gradual, these efforts have steadily advanced improvements to the campus environment. The training facilities comprise two separate buildings equipped for general fitness training and weight training, respectively. During the past ten years, additional improvements have included construction of a new clubhouse, complete renovation of the athletics field, and conversion of lighting in the gymnasium and Hibari Lounge to LED lighting. In recent years, more and more students and faculty members have been seen bringing their own reusable bottles. To help prevent heatstroke, improve campus life, and contribute to SDG initiatives by reducing plastic waste, water refill stations have been installed in three locations: the lecture building, the student cafeteria, and the gymnasium. 3.4.2 Meetings with Class Advisors Each year, before the start of the new academic year in April, a meeting is held with the new class advisors in each program and major to discuss the position, roles, and responsibilities of class advisors. The duties of class advisors are wide-ranging. With regard to academic matters, they include monitoring grades and course registration, providing academic support, supporting students who repeat a year, and assisting with various academic procedures. With regard to student life, they include preparing recommendation letters for various scholarship applications, coordinating with the student consultation
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