"Building" the Campus | Toshiko Hirota, Administrative Director, Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC)
2022.03.29
This happened three years ago. The Health Promotion Act was partially amended, and from July 1, 2019, facilities such as universities were required to strictly implement measures to prevent secondhand smoke. Specifically, smoking would only be permitted in designated outdoor smoking areas where measures to prevent secondhand smoke were in place. In other words, we had to remove all existing smoking areas and establish new designated outdoor smoking areas.
I carelessly realized this shortly after the new academic year of 2019 began (as I recall). "Oh no, we only have three months left..." I urgently consulted with the property management staff and had them draw up a plan. We identified two locations on campus away from the main flow of people and also selected potential installation contractors. I was relieved, thinking that all we had to do was get approval from the committee and carry out the construction to meet the deadline. However, when I presented the proposal at a meeting, the discussion took an unexpected turn with comments like, "A ready-made smoking area isn't very interesting, is it?" "I wonder where and how many smokers there are on campus..." "They seem to be quite scattered, so wouldn't this location be unfair?" and "How about putting a smoking area on an autonomous vehicle and having it circle the Mobius Ring?" The conversation became quite lively, and in the end, it was decided (as I recall) with someone saying, "Well then, let me build it," and others agreeing, "That sounds like a great idea." "What? We're going to build it?" To be honest, I was bewildered.
A professor from the architecture department drew up the plans, and they began building it together with students. During the semester, the students were busy, and progress was slow. Nevertheless, they recruited collaborators through social media, and little by little, it began to take shape. Many faculty members and students were sweating away, all seeming to enjoy working together. I also started to look forward to visiting the site. I believe it was finally completed about half a year later. What they completed was a wonderful "smoking area in the forest." It was a smoking area like a giant jungle gym that incorporated the existing trees of the forest. (In the end, it wasn't completed by the July 1 deadline, but after consultation, we were able to remain in compliance with the law thanks to a "ready-made smoking area" that the property management team had already installed on the opposite side of the campus.)
At SFC, there is a strong sense that the campus is something everyone builds together. Many faculty members see the operation of the campus as their own personal responsibility. This spirit was truly demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the pandemic began and it was decided to move classes online, professors from the information technology field quickly created a WebEx user manual and held training sessions for other faculty, including part-time lecturers. Faculty members with medical qualifications were involved in establishing infection prevention rules from an expert's point of view. As the pandemic situation eased and students returned to campus, there were professors who measured and visualized the CO2 concentration levels in each classroom .
Three years and five months at SFC. I have had the very valuable experience of "building" the campus together. I will be transferring to the Mita Campus from April, but I look forward to seeing the further evolution of SFC. Thank you to everyone who has supported me!