Attention all students and guardians:

　As you are well aware, the COVID-19 outbreak has had a profound impact on society with many people passing away and many more struggling to recover from the disease around the globe. We at the Ritsumeikan Academy would like to express our condolences to the families that have lost loved ones and wish a speedy recovery to everyone who has fallen ill. We would also like to express our heartfelt respect to everyone who is working hard on the frontlines to provide medical care and ensure lifelines remain intact during these difficult times.

　To all students:
　We would like to remind you that, in light of the state of emergency declaration, you are prohibited from entering all campuses of the Ritsumeikan Academy. You entered the Academy's schools with an eye on achieving your dreams, but now that you remain unable to lead normal campus lives, we are concerned about how you are spending your days. We understand that you may feel uneasy and that your dreams and goals may feel harder to achieve, but remember that there are things you still need to and can do amid these difficult times. Please take this opportunity to ask yourself once again what you intend to achieve by attending one of our schools. I hope you will also think about how your school and you, as students, can contribute to society and the world.
　We have decided to start offering online classes for the entire Ritsumeikan Academy on May 7, even if the current state of emergency remains in effect. Even though we will hold classes online, we will make every effort to maintain the quality of teaching and ensure that students at every level can achieve the stated learning goals.
　In preparation for the start of online classes, we recently compiled an Academy-wide comprehensive emergency support package totaling ¥2.5 billion. This package features three major types of support: (1) support for preparing the necessary environment for taking online classes; (2) aid for students whose families have suffered sudden changes in household finances; and (3) support for online learning, campus life, and other activities. We will continue deliberating and implementing measures as the changing situation dictates. At the same time, we will issue strong requests to the government to consider and implement effective support measures.

　To all guardians:
　To overcome the global crisis brought on by this pandemic, all institutions of education and research must fulfill their social responsibility to continue providing education and conducting research after taking measures to protect the lives, safety, and health of everyone involved in these activities. The faculty and staff of the Ritsumeikan Academy will continue providing support for student learning, research, extracurricular activities, job placement, and advancement in cooperation with our alumni and, you, the parents of our students. I kindly request your understanding in this matter.

Overview of Emergency Support

• Eligibility: All degree-seeking students attending universities and schools of the Ritsumeikan Trust (48,580 students as of May 1, 2019)
  　　　　・ Ritsumeikan University
  　　　　・ Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
  　　　　・ Ritsumeikan Junior and Senior High School
  　　　　・ Ritsumeikan Uji Junior and Senior High School
  　　　　・ Ritsumeikan Keisho Junior and Senior High School
  　　　　・ Ritsumeikan Moriyama Junior and Senior High School
  　　　　・ Ritsumeikan Primary School
• Total amount: ¥2.5 billion
• Overview of support:
  (1) Support for preparing the necessary environment for taking online classes: ¥1.6 billion
  ・ All students in the Academy will receive a payment of ¥30,000.
  ・ These funds aim to offset the cost that students families’ will need to incur to prepare the necessary learning environment and telecommunications equipment in line with the emergency measure of holding classes online.
  ・ We will also lend computers and routers free of charge to those students who need them. However, there is only a limited number of available devices.
  
  

  ＜Updated on May 27 (Schedule for delivery of documentation)＞

  How to Apply for the "Ritsumeikan University Emergency Student Support Fund" Which Provides Support Funds for Preparing an Environment Suitable for Online Classes [Applications are closed]

  The following proposal outlines the application process and other information for applying for the Ritsumeikan University Emergency Student Support Fund set up to provide support for preparing an environment suitable for online classes.

  1. Support funds for preparing an environment suitable for online classes.
  ① Eligible Applicants: Students currently enrolled in a regular course of study at the university or while studying abroad as of May 1 (Students on a Leave of Absence are not eligible)
  ② Amount: 30,000 yen
  ③ Payment Method: We will send a bank transfer information request form to the address to which your tuition information is sent. For students who do not have Japanese nationality, the bank transfer information request form will be sent by email instead. We will begin processing applications from those who have registered their bank account details and transfer the payment promptly once the details have been examined.
  
  Schedule for delivery of documentation: May 29
  
  ④ Contact information: Ritsumeikan University Online Class Environment Preparation Support Funds Administrative Office
  075-813-8845 (Weekdays 9:30 to 17:00)

  ＜Updated on July 20, 2020＞

  ⑤ Application Deadline: September 25
  If you have not yet submitted a completed bank transfer request form, please do so by the deadline. Applications received after the deadline cannot be accepted.
  Finally, instructions will be provided separately to any international students who do not have a bank account in Japan.

  (2) Aid for students whose families have suffered sudden changes in household finances: ¥500 million
  ・ We will disburse up to ¥90,000 (¥30,000 x 3 months) to students who can no longer work their part-time jobs or/and whose families have suffered sudden changes in household finances.
  * This means students eligible for this item can receive up to ¥120,000 in aid together with Item (1).
  ・ This aid will be provided in addition to public aid being provided to households that have suffered sudden changes their finances.
  ・ We will also expand existing programs for households that have suffered sudden changes their finances.
  

  ・＜Application form posted on June 8, 2020: Applications are closed＞"Ritsumeikan University Emergency Student Support Fund"

  (3) Support for online learning, campus life, and other activities: ¥400 million
  ・ This support aims to ensure out students can continue their learning, campus life, and other activities despite the major restrictions they face amid the stay-at-home request.
  ・ We will put in place an online system to provide students with support for their learning and campus life activities.
  ・ We will provide programs to support a wide variety of online learning (including job placement support and programs for language learning and obtaining certifications) and community building.
• Timing and methods of implementation:
  ・We will move swiftly to put frameworks in place throughout the Academy, and once these are ready, we will notify.