June 2, 2020

To students in the Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University

Hiroshi Amitsuka
Dean, Graduate School of Science

Thank you very much for your cooperation to prevent the spread of infection of COVID-19. Hokkaido University has moved from Alert Level 3 (Restriction-Hight) to Alert Level 2 (Restriction-Medium) prescribed in the Hokkaido University Business Continuity Plan During Coronavirus Outbreak (BCP).
https://www.global.hokudai.ac.jp/university-life/health-and-wellness/covid-19-health-alerts-and-advisories/

In response to this announcement, the Graduate School of Science has decided to take the following measures for the time being.

1. Restriction of movements

• According to the government “Basic Action Policy” on COVID-19, the restriction on movements between prefectures except for tourist purposes will be liberalized on June 19. If you need to travel for a business trip/job hunting, or return to Sapporo from your hometown, please take a variety of measures to prevent the spread of infection and travel carefully. You are requested to tell supervisors about the destination and the period.

2. Visiting the University

• Please avoid unnecessary visiting the campus.
• Under Level 2, the buildings of the School of Science are locked at all times as on Saturdays and Sundays. If you need to enter the buildings, please unlock with your student ID card.
• To enter the School of Science area, please visit the following URL and register your name, entry date, building name, and the reason for entry every time. QR code is available at the entrance of each building.
  https://forms.gle/jvwKcqyJ1WSTnMAa8
  

3. Courses under Alert Level 2

• All lectures remain online during the spring term. Part of class delivery to conduct seminars experiments or practical training might require face-to-face teaching. Please follow the instructions given by your department, course, and the person in charge of the lecture.
• The guideline “Online classes guideline: To students in School of Science and Graduate School of Science (Spring Term Course for First Semester of FY 2020)” has been posted on the Rigaku Joho System. For inquiries about online classes, please contact each department/course listed in the guideline.
• Please check the course information regularly through Rigaku Joho System.
  https://www.sci.hokudai.ac.jp/jimu_renraku/

4. Research Activities

• In principle, students should work from home. Only a minimum number of lab personnel are allowed to work in a lab for the shortest time possible to support experiments after obtaining supervisor’s permission.
• When conducting researches in the field, please obtain supervisor’s permission, avoid close contact with people when moving, and take all possible measures to prevent infection.

5. Inquiry about study and campus life

• The Academic Affairs Section in the Graduate School of Science has been closed on Level 2. If you have any questions about study or procedures, please contact the Graduate School Educational Affairs Section by email (r-gakuin(at)sci.hokudai.ac.jp)

6．Mental Care Office

• The Faculty of Science has the Mental Care Office. Currently, it only offers email or telephone consultations. A clinical psychologist counselor is there to help with any concerns you may have. If you have any concerns, please feel free to make an appointment for a telephone consultation by email (nayami(at)sci.hokudai.ac.jp). It also accepts a consultation by email only. For more information, please visit https://www2.sci.hokudai.ac.jp/counseling#ss01

Thanks to everyone’s cooperation, we were able to prevent the spread of infection at the university and get through the second wave in Hokkaido. However, the fight against this virus is expected to be prolonged, and we can not relax until the whole story of this infection disease comes out and effective treatment is available. Let’s be aware of the “New Hokkaido Style” (http://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/kz/kks/newhokkaidostyle.htm), and continue to live carefully to protect mutual safety.