A 24-Hour Look at the Dean's Day | Keiichi Yoshino (Dean, Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care)

This is my routine wake-up time. Yesterday, I enjoyed a round of golf with my family under fine weather, which left me pleasantly tired. I crashed at 22:30 and slept soundly. Woke up feeling refreshed. Had a breakfast of a vegetable salad and a hot dog, homemade by my wife.

Left home in my beloved car. Took the Shuto Expressway Route 5.

Arrived at the Shinanomachi Campus after an 18 km drive. Prepared for the first period class: "Pathophysiology of Acute Conditions," a required course for third-year students in the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care. Today's topic is neurosurgery, and the lecturer is a Guest Professor at Juku. He brought his Apple PC, and the Academic Affairs Group scrambled to find a projector connector for it.

First period class until 10:30. About four-fifths of the students were in attendance.

Got back in my car and drove 55 km to SFC via the Shuto Expressway Route 4, the Central Circular Route, Route 3, and the Tomei Expressway. It was a pleasant drive, despite it being the rainy season. Normally, good weather at this time of year would be considered a break in the rainy season, but this year, not only has there been little rain, but the humidity has often been below 40%. Combined with the long daylight hours, it feels just like a European summer. Ate a sandwich for lunch while driving. It was raining when I arrived.

Mr. Takuji Oda, Head of Keio Academy of New York (Juku NY校), visited with a list of students advancing to the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care next academic year. This time, there is one student. For reference, the average over the past four years has been two students. Head Oda is the same age as me, and we are good friends. I think I'll go to NY next spring for the faculty information session, partly to see him.

Took a 30-minute nap. Waking up at 5 a.m., at my age (63), I can't get through the day without a nap.

Got stuck trying to adjust my PC's screen brightness, which was my undoing. After struggling for an hour without success, I took it to the system support staff, and they fixed it in a second. I was very happy, but also a bit frustrated.

Realized that the Faculty Steering Committee meeting is the day after tomorrow, so I finished "Dean’s note-hq 0407" for the committee members and distributed it via the mailing list. The "Dean’s note" is a memo I write each month detailing the official events I attend as dean. Next week, before the general faculty meeting (equivalent to a faculty council in other faculties), I will add any new items and distribute it to all faculty members. I started this practice when I became dean, believing it would allow me to communicate the overall activities of Juku from the perspective of the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care to all its members. Initially, a key objective was to help the many faculty members who are not Keio University alumni to quickly understand how Juku works, given the specific nature of our faculty. It's quite a lot of work, but it has been well-received, so I want to continue it.

For dinner, I had the onigiri rice balls and bread I bought at lunchtime, along with a cup of instant noodles I had on hand, while watching TV (NHK's "Close-up Gendai" on the reorganization of professional baseball).

Once again, I hit the road in my car, speeding along the 76 km stretch of the Tomei and Shuto Expressways.

Arrived home. Had two cans of beer. Took a bath.

Crashed again. I'll do my best again tomorrow. What a day. (End)