Japanese

Fundamental Principles and Guidelines

Fundamental Principles and Guidelines

Now that we have entered the 21st century, Sophia must, on one hand, respond to the heightened expectations of society toward university education and, on the other hand, resolutely face the increasingly critical scrutiny that Japanese society turns towards universities. In a time which has been referred to as the onset of winter, the Sophia spirit is all the more required to create structures that are constantly evolving and, insofar as possible, to turn the rapidly changing, unclear university environment into an asset. A university that contributes little to society and loses its characteristic flavor will wither and die.
Within this rapidly changing situation we must build upon the spirit of Christian education which we have inherited from the founders of Sophia and, based on evangelical justice and the truth that sets us free, move ahead in this new century.
With this report, the Board of Trustees would like to call upon the whole Sophia family to react to this draft of the "Grand Layout" with your frank opinions and requests.

1. Our areas of excellence and the unique characteristics of Sophia

a. Fostering the educational ideals of our founders
"Sophia University is a community based on Christian ideals which pursues truth and strives for development of integral human beings."
"With the purpose of developing the total human being, through its academic research Sophia aims to form people who can contribute to the peaceful development of humanity." Based on our founding spirit, we will foster independent thinking and power of judgment.

b. Refining a policy that respects the individual and diversity
Through reflection on the present reality, we will consistently give precedence to and value a climate of individuality, tradition, and history which cannot be found in any other university. We will deepen an awareness of what has gone before us while refining a policy that respects the individual and diversity.

c. Creating flexible structures
Both the social environment and the conditions for university management are rapidly changing. We will use this rapidly changing situation as an asset by creating structures that are flexible enough to nurture an institution that can take its place alongside other great international universities.

d. Striving to create an environment of education and research
With the advent of a society of rapid information brought about through information technology, we will strive to create an environment of education and research that will be sensitive to developments within Japan and in the rest of the world.

e. Encouraging more diversity
In response to the advance of this age which naturally values continuing education highly, we will encourage even more diversity among our students.

2. As an internationally recognized university:

a. We will consolidate a basic plan that allows us to maintain that international recognition.

b. We will improve and expand our existing international academic exchange programs.

c. We will further promote and improve our education and research capabilities as well as our centers for high-level graduate studies appropriate to a world-ranked institution.

d. We will strive to broaden our commitment to society through improvement of our publications and research results.

3. We will further improve the conditions of campus life.

a. Through promotion of a humane style of education:
Recognizing the unique value of human life, Sophia will provide space for students, faculty and staff to communicate expediently in order to promote a humane style of education.

b. Through provision of an environment supportive of students:
We will study ways of supporting an environment that actively strives to provide students with meaningful extracurricular activities.

c. Through expansion of campus ministry:
We will consider significant ways to expand campus ministry.

4. With an eye to the 21st century, Sophia will make an orderly plan for its organization, work regulations, and personnel

a. Administrative system
We will put better order into our administrative system. That is, we will improve both our administrative operations in the school corporation and academic areas as well as our supervisory and planning functions in management and in support of reform in education and research.

b. The organization, work regulations, and personnel decisions
The organization, work regulations, and personnel decisions will be planned so that management and administration run in a smooth way without narrow sectionalism.

c. The spirit of Sophia in all faculty members and employees
All faculty members and employees will be thoroughly grounded in the spirit of Sophia that will be reflected in our organization, education and research.

d. Responding for diversity of education
We will respond to this need to so educate our faculty, whether they be visiting professors, part-time teachers, or our tenured faculty that is the heart of our educational efforts.

5. Preparations for a new financial base of operations by student fees, support grants, fund raising, donations, and income-generating activity.

a. Financial policy
With a comprehensive view of both management and education, Sophia will carefully consider its financial basis as it renews itself for the new century.

b. Financial foundations
As a private university, Sophia cannot expect a large increase in income, and so it needs a financial foundation that will support sound, long-term management.

c. Fund-raising
Sophia will conduct fund-raising campaigns, for example, to mark the 100th anniversary of Sophia and the 50th anniversary of the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Theology, the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Studies and the Faculty of Science & Technology.

6. Selection and concentration (scrap and build) as our basic policy

a. Selection and concentration (scrap and build)
To maintain the areas of excellence and unique qualities of Sophia we will courageously plan new academic programs and their requisite physical facilities. In doing this, we will resolutely combine and reorganize existing organizational units and add new ones in a careful selection of what should be maintained and what should be our areas of concentration (hence "scrap and build").

7. Participatory model for planning

a. Participatory model for planning
In forming both the final version of "The Grand Layout" and the "New Hoffmann Plan" based on it, we will make it possible not only for the various standing committees as well as all university organs and individuals to participate in the planning.