To all our college and graduate school students

Ritsumeikan University will begin classes for the fall semester on Saturday, September 26, with due measures in place to prevent COVID-19 infection. College and graduate school students are requested to make the necessary individual arrangements for regular campus attendance.
The format and schedule for classes in each course will be communicated through manaba+R and other information channels along with any points for special attention and other necessary information. Please check regularly for messages from the university.

1.Class format

　Classes will be held in the formats set out below in line with the Activity Restriction Level indicated by Ritsumeikan University Action Guidelines in Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak (Business Continuity Plan : BCP)
Please note that all classes may in principle be switched to Internet classes at any point during the semester depending on the infection situation.
The class teaching format for each course will be communicated through the online syllabus from September 8.

[BCP Activity Restriction Level 1-2]
Broadly speaking, classes will take one of the three formats listed below. The class teaching format for each course and relevant details will be communicated through the online syllabus from September 8.
　① All class sessions held as Internet classes
　② All class sessions held as face-to-face classes
　③ Classes held face-to-face or by Internet depending on the individual session
　(e.g. class Sessions 1 to 5 face-to-face, Session 6 and thereafter by Internet)

[BCP Activity Restriction Level 3 or higher]
As a basic principle, classes will be held as Internet classes.
For certain courses only which involve experiments and practicums etc., face-to-face classes may be held in some cases subject to implementation of due measures to prevent infection. The courses or classes affected will be indicated through manaba+R.

2.Final examinations in the fall semester

As in the spring semester, final examinations scheduled for the fall semester will not take place and will be replaced by an alternative method of evaluation. Depending on the college, some courses may hold examinations in a classroom environment during the scheduled final examination period. Information on the evaluation method applied in each course will be communicated through the online syllabus from September 8.

3.Information and telecommunications equipment

Internet-based classes will continue into the fall semester. Students are requested to ensure they have access to a laptop computer or similar information device and access to a telecommunications network. The on-campus information and telecommunications facilities will be available for use, but in the event of a worsening of the infection situation, access to the campus may be restricted. Students are therefore recommended to ensure that they have access to a telecommunications network at home or in their student accommodation.

4.Measures against infection

To avoid closed, crowded, or close-contact conditions on campus and in the classroom, the measures set out below will be in place. College and graduate school students are requested to cooperate with the preventive measures and to act with awareness of the need to both protect themselves from infection and avoid infecting others.

[Preventive measures taken by the university]
　① To prevent the spread of aerosol particles, each classroom will be fitted with a transparent barrier screen around the lectern or desk.
　② Teaching staff may continue to wear a mask or face shield during class.
　③ Depending on the content of the class, college and graduate school students may also be requested to wear a face shield.
　④ To ensure ventilation in the classroom, classes may be held with windows and entrance and exit doors left open. College and graduate school students are asked to cooperate with the opening and closing of windows. Depending on the layout of the classroom, a circulator fan may be in operation.

[Cooperative action requested from college and graduate school students]
　① During your journey to campus and while on campus, please make sure to wear a mask at all times. Additionally, please wash your hands thoroughly before and after classes.
　② To avoid crowding in the classroom, please leave space between seats. Where there are pre-designated seat positions, please seat yourself as indicated.

Details of other specific infection prevention measures will be communicated separately. For specific details of Ritsumeikan University’s basic approach to infection prevention, please see the Ritsumeikan University Guidelines to Prevent the Spread of Novel Coronavirus Infections.