V. University Campus and Community Development; Safety and Environment Protection
1. University Community and Education/Childcare Services
(1) Developing the University Community
OIST provided the local information on cultural events, sports, life in Okinawa through the internal website TIDA. OIST also provided its staff & families the opportunities to the events with local citizens, such as soft volley ball games, Haari, boat race, and Eisa Dance.
OIST planned and conducted the 2nd OIST Anniversary Party, and 700 staff and their families enjoyed the events.
The first phase of Campus Village housing was completed in September 2012, with occupancy rate now above 90%. The second phase of the Campus Village will be completed in June 2013. Leasing and/or fit-out of facilities in the Collaboration Center was completed. The temporary CDC completed and put into operation from January 2013, with enrolment applications already exceeding capacity.
Pre- and post-contract information was disclosed in accordance with legal requirements.
(2) Education and Childcare Services for OIST Family
The Child Development Center (CDC), or Tedako, was officially established in April 2013, operated by a director, 6 full-time teachers and administrative staff. CDC offers the following child-care services for OIST employees and students.
1. Tedako Preschool: Full-time care for children 2 month to 6 years of age and part-time care for children attending local kindergarten. Hours are from 08:00 to 18:00, Monday through Friday.
2. After School: Part-time care for children 6 years of age and above. Hours are from 15:00 to 18:00, Monday through Friday.
3. Holiday Program: Full-time care for children on OIST work days during school holidays.
4. Buses: transportation service for children from local schools and kindergartens to the CDC.
The CDC Governing board has held meetings since October 2013. The first task was to establish a strong budgetary foundation for the program. To that end, a finance sub- committee developed a new fee structure that was accepted by the Board. OIST Preschool programs are distinctive and catered to the needs of our uniquely diverse population, with children from 23 different countries who speak 18 different languages in their home life. Both the Preschool and the After School Child Development Center programs have proved not only important to the recruitment but also the retention of faculty, students, and staff. Since the program opened in January 2013, over 70 children have participated in the preschool and 25 children have participated in the After School/ Holiday Program. The Child Development Center is a working microcosm of OIST as foundational vision, bringing together the best ideals by realizing that education should be an interdisciplinary, personal and creative experience for all involved.
OIST has continued to strengthen relationships with the Onna Elementary School. This year a full time advisor on English Elementary education was employed by OIST. The advisor facilitates the integration of OIST families with the local school community through her work at Onna-Son Elementary School, and has contributed to the school`s program by working with children in English since July 2013. As part of OIST`s continued effort to improve the educational environment for school age children, she also provides professional advice on appropriate outcomes, teaching methods, and curricula for education in English in the OIST community setting throughout the on campus.
OIST staff members have also given English reading classes at the school every Tuesday morning. All OIST spouses and Family members are encouraged to follow language training in English and Japanese at the University.
(3) Student Support
The Graduate School launched a peer mentor program that provides living supports by students from other universities in Okinawa. It organized general welfare activities which included excursions to Chura-Umi aquarium, Nago pineapple park, Shuri Castle and the kokusai street in Naha, as well as a study tour to Kyoto and Nara to provide opportunities to experience the Japanese culture in November. The Graduate School organized student exchange meeting/party to interact with other students in Okinawa.
2. Safety and Environment Protection
The Fire Prevention and Control Plan, which is designed to prevent fires; safeguard human life from fires, large-scale earthquakes, and other disasters; mitigate damage; and prevent the outbreak of secondary disasters, was developed in FY2012. In FY2013, it has been revised in line with the increase in facilities. Also, the Fire Prevention and Control Plan for the CDC was developed in FY2013. To develop the business continuity plan for OIST in the near future, we participated in a study session and seminar and collected useful information.
A campus-wide fire drill was carried out in Mar 2014. It was reviewed and approved by the Kin Fire Dept.
OIST’s Facility Management Section cooperated with Onna-san in developing a disaster prevention map.
The Research Safety Section conducted a laboratory accident drill for the first time at OIST. 69 participants practiced how to correspond to a laboratory accident and treat an injured person, assuming a chemical accident occurred during an experiment. 69 people attended.
One personnel attended the Seminar of risk management in the University organized by the training center for private universities to promote the skill for risk management.
Garbage is separated by categories and an active recycling program is in place.
Continual monitoring and optimization of energy usage is carried out. In 2013 energy usage increased only 17.7% despite a campus population increase of 19.3% and expanding experimentation programs in the labs.
Water recycling continued to be fully employed, and final disposal was well within specified quantity and quality limits.
Red soil run-off from construction activities was rigorously controlled by the construction contractors and monitored by an environmental impact consultant and the local authorities.
Extensive landscaping of the Campus Village was carried out during FY2013. This landscaping was done exclusively with indigenous species.