Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Jun 21, 2021

Notice Concerning Daily Life Precautions for Students Involved in Extracurricular Activities

With extracurricular activities resuming as of today, there are likely many student organizations that have already scheduled activities such as practices and away games. Japan is currently seeing an increase in coronavirus infections consisting predominantly of infections from highly contagious coronavirus variants making the precautions we take in our everyday lives all that more important to reduce the spread of the virus. There are many young people are asymptomatic when infected which makes it easy to spread the virus to your friends and club/circle members without knowing it.

There are many examples of coronavirus cluster infections among university students resulting from drinking parties and karaoke. As the number of infections continues to rise nationwide, we ask that all students acknowledge the potential that your choices have to put you at risk for infection. Please make safe choices and refrain from organizing or participating in a party or other social event that could result in a COVID-19 cluster.

Please take a moment to read through the following prevention guidelines and continue to be vigilant about enforcing the necessary measures to ensure that you are able to conduct your activities in as safe a manner as possible.

1. Be careful to avoid the Three Cs at all times.
2. Wear a mask when out in public and wash and sanitize your hands often.
3. Check your temperature daily and monitor your physical condition. Do not leave the house if you are not feeling well.
4. Refrain from going to karaoke and holding long dinners (parties, etc.) with more than 5 people at a time.

Student Office

(Reference)
APU’s “New Normal”– Preventing the Spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Jun 11, 2021

Information on Campus Facility Use From June 21, 2021

Any clubs or groups wishing to hold activities on or after June 21 must follow the activity guidelines below and must request and receive permission to hold activities from the Student Office in advance.

1. All members must keep a daily record of their temperature and any physical symptoms. Continue to check for any potential infections as before and share any relevant information with the rest of the club/group.
2. Pay careful attention to the state of your health by getting a thermometer and checking your temperature every day, washing your hands, wearing a mask, and avoiding the Three Cs. (Be especially careful when going out for a part-time job or grocery shopping.)
3. Members who have traveled outside of Oita Prefecture are not allowed to participated in activities for two weeks after their return.
4. Activities involving eating or drinking are prohibited.
5. Do not have meals together before or after activities.
6. Avoid contact with anyone returning to Oita Prefecture from another prefecture for two weeks after their return.
7. Take the same infection prevention measures that you would take during extracurricular activities during other times as well and avoid extended exposure to others.

*If any members of a club/group are confirmed to have COVID-19, take thorough infection prevention measures as instructed by the Public Health Center. Activities will be suspended during the infection control period.

【Practice Games/League Matches】

Decisions about games or matches held on or after Monday, June 21, will be made based on the status of infections. Please consult the Student Office in advance.

Guidelines on Extracurricular Activities for June 21 and Beyond

		Activity Guidelines
Essential Requirements		For all activities, regardless of whether they are on or off campus, students must submit an online application accompanied by an Activity Plan and Health Check Sheet to the Student Office to obtain permission in advance. When the club in question is a member of an association or other parent organization, students must take measures to prevent the spreading of COVID-19 that are also based on guidelines set forth by that organization. When using off-campus facilities, students must adhere to guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19 set forth by the facility in question. Examples of measures to prevent spreading of COVID-19: When at home: Check your temperature and monitor your physical condition. When in transit: Always wear a mask and keep your hands and fingers sanitized while in transit. During activities: Wear a mask, avoid the shared use of equipment, avoid high-risk contact, and maintain social distance. Eating is not allowed during activities. (Drinking water or other beverages to stay hydrated is allowed, however, do not share your drink with others.) How to submit applications for activities and use facilities https://en.apu.ac.jp/studentsupport/page/content0338.html/
Time for Standard Activities (Practice, meetings, etc.)		One class-hour (100 min.) per day *Note that up to two non-consecutive class-hours may be permitted in cases where special grounds are recognized, such as cases involving activities to prepare for official sports matches or performances. *The time slot for activities is between Periods 1 and 7. *The ideal time for off-campus activities shall also be one class-hour (100 min.) per day.
Approved Facilities	Clubs	Gymnasium Arena (Fitness Room cannot be used.) Multi-Purpose Field Student Union 1 (Atelier cannot be used.) Student Union 2
	Individuals	Gymnasium Multi-Purpose Field Tennis courts
Excursions, Etc.		Allowed following consideration of the state of infection at the excursion site on the condition that measures to prevent the spreading of COVID-19 are enforced in mid-transit.
Events, New Member Welcoming Activities, Etc.		Students are recommended to conduct these activities online. Events judged as having to be implemented as a matter of necessity based on their purpose and/or content will be allowed on the condition that sufficient measures to prevent the spreading of COVID-19 are taken.

*No restrictions in particular will be in place for activities conducted online. Additionally, it will not be necessary to submit prior notification, etc.

Q&A

Can meetings be held inside classrooms?

Meetings can be held inside classrooms provided that measures are taken, such as keeping the number of attendees to no more than 1/4 of classroom capacity, ensuring to maintain social distance, and ventilating the classroom in the course of the meeting by opening the windows.

When will the Fitness Room be open for use?

We’re currently looking into having a staff person stationed in the Fitness Room to ensure that infection prevention guidelines are followed. We plan to reopen the Fitness Room once the necessary preparations are in place.

Is it possible for off-campus advisors, other than the main club/circle advisor, to come to campus to assist with club/circle activities?

It is possible as long as off-campus visitors follow the health and hygiene guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please refer to the Student Office website for details.

Inquiries:
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Student Office
stueca@apu.ac.jp

Jun 7, 2021

Applications open for the 2021 Incentive Scholarship for Self-Motivated Students.

Calling all students involved in on-campus or off-campus extracurricular activities such as sports, dance, the arts, debate, business competitions, international exchange, and volunteer activities to apply for the “Incentive Scholarships for Self-motivated Students!”
(100,000 yen awarded to student organizations, 50,000 yen awarded to individual applicants)

The main objective of this scholarship is to recognize students actively involved in extracurricular self-motivated activities. The scholarship has been broken into three separate award categories of “Social Contribution Award,” “Award for Excellence in Cultural Activities, Arts, and Sports,” and “Award for Outstanding Contributions to Learning.” Both individual students and student organizations are eligible to apply. It is also possible for individuals involved in off-campus activities to apply.

The University will widely publicize the activities of selected organizations/individuals within the APU community.

Flyer – Download

①Social Contribution Award
Student organizations or individuals whose activities significantly contributed to solving problems confronting local communities or society as a whole either within Japan or overseas.

②Award for Excellence in Cultural Activities, Arts, and Sports
Student groups or individuals who have made continuous efforts to achieve the high goals they have set and who have a record of excellence in one of the areas of cultural activities, the arts, or sports. *This includes participation in extracurricular competitions. (Competitions independent of a course.)

③Award for Outstanding Contributions to Learning
Student groups or individuals who have organized and held creative events or activities that utilize their studies at APU to share their learning with a wide range of people.

Activities must have taken place between July. 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021.

Please refer to the “Application Guidelines for the APU Incentive Scholarship for Self-motivated Students” for details. – Download

Please use the form designated for the award category you are applying for. （Refer to the above application guidelines for further information.）
Applicants who do not use the correct application form for the award category they are applying for will not have their application screened.

①Form A：Social Contribution Award Application Form – Download
②Form B：Award for Excellence in Cultural Activities, Arts, and Sports Application Form – Download
③Form C：Award for Outstanding Contributions to Learning Application Form – Download
④Form D：Activity Achievements - List of Supporting Documents – Download
⑤Form E：Activity Assessment Form – Download
※All of the above forms are Microsoft Word documents.

Submit the application forms to the Student Office by email. Submit to: stueca@apu.ac.jp

Friday, July 5, 2021 (Submit by 9:00 am.)

We hope many students will take advantage of this opportunity to apply and be recognized for their hard work!

Student Office stueca@apu.ac.jp