Fall 2018 Issue

Global Campus, Global Future

Construction is on schedule and underway at the New TUJ Campus.

A Better Student Life Beckons at the New TUJ
By John Szalas
With the formal opening a year away and some details yet to be
determined, the physical plans for the New TUJ Campus are coming
into focus, and the expected benefits accruing to TUJ students and
TUJ’s academic programs are starting to take shape.
The most significant change is that the new campus promises tooffer students and faculty a more traditional college environment;
one purpose-built for education.
While Azabu Hall and Mita Hall have served exceptionally wellover the past 20 years, they were not specifically designed for use
by an academic institution. With its growth over the past two
decades, many of TUJ’s facilities in Minami-Azabu now have apronounced ad hoc quality to them that came about as the university
expanded into neighboring buildings or acquired additional rooms
from other businesses within the office buildings it occupies.

Image: December 4, 2018

Although the new campus is only slightly larger than the
combined area of the existing structures in Tokyo now used by
TUJ, the new facility is designed and built for a university, andthat promises a much more efficient use of space and better
experience for the entire TUJ community, students especially.
On the academic front the Art, Communication and Japanese
language programs will have better facilities and expanded
academic offerings, while the library will get an upgrade.
The improved classrooms available to Art and Communications
majors will feature integrated technology assisting creative
design. A new all-purpose production room will be available
with audio equipment, extensive storage, a built-in green screen,
and brand new computers with advanced video editing software.
The new equipment will not only enhance student academic
work, but will allow for the creation of a new production track
within the Communications major, expanding professional
options for TUJ graduates.
Art students, in turn, will have the chance to display their works
at the new gallery space adjacent to the entrance lobby, with aContinued, next page

Continued from page 1
continual rotation of new works planned. Additionally, facultyfrom the Environmental Design Program at Showa Women’s
University (SWU) will guest lecturer from time-to-time within the
Art program at TUJ, and vice-versa, broadening the academic
horizon for students from both schools.
The Japanese language program at TUJ is currently vetting ideas
for collaboration with Showa’s English Language andCommunication programs. Although specific TUJ activities suchas the Hanami Event and yomu yomu club will continue as before;
over time it is hoped that Showa students might eventually join insome activities with their peers at TUJ. A more formal student
matching system might also evolve organically between theschools with native Japanese speakers paired with English
speakers in both formal academic and informal co-curricularsettings.

Did you know?
One of the greatest benefits of donating to TUJ is knowingthat you are making a real difference in the lives ofdedicated students.
Temple University, Japan Campus receives no financial
support from the Japanese government, or subsidies from its
main campus in Philadelphia. The university relies ontuition revenues, and donations from generous supporters tofund its operations and build its future.

The plans for the new TUJ library promise additional benefits forstudents, including a large common study area and 6 individual
study rooms, as well as more computers for student research andextra study carrels. Library staff are also hoping for longer
opening hours and additional staff to assist students withindividual research.
Currently, TUJ’s library cooperates with Musashi University’s
library, but with proximity to SWU’s facilities, resource sharing
between TUJ and SWU should also develop naturally and quickly.
TUJ alumni, as before, will have access to the new TUJ librarywith borrowing privileges, and will be able to use Temple
University’s research databases.
The Office of Student Services is analyzing how Temple students
might participate in SWU festivals and campus activities. Each
November, for example, Showa Women’s University holds its
Cosmos matsuri that draws over 10,000 people annually. TUJ is
already scheduled to participate in the 2019 festival and the event
will be open not only to students, but to TUJ alumni, staff andfaculty as well.
The biggest impact on student life, however, is likely to be accessto large dedicated student spaces – to lounge, to eat, to study andto hang out – including outdoor spaces and access to athleticfacilities. A real university campus. Even better, the surroundingarea in Setagaya-ku, specifically the Sanganjaya area, is a popularplace for restaurants. The heart of Shibuya-ku is just a 30-minutewalk, or quick metro ride away with access to Shibuya Station in
two stops. And the nearest station, Sangen-Jaya, is a only fourminute walk from the New TUJ Campus, itself a major
improvement. A lot for students to get excited about.
John Szalas is a student at TUJ majoring in International Affairs

The TUAA is Now Online!
Just us on Facebook and Stay informed of Alumni
Events in the Tokyo Area.

Alumni workers at the auction tables.

Alumni Spirit at FCSC/YMCA Dinner
By Geo Otsu
TUJ alumni turned out on November 9 to show their spirit andsupport for the Tokyo community by volunteering at the 60th
anniversary dinner of the Foreign Community Support Committee(FCSC), an NGO composed of foreign business leaders andambassadors.
Originally founded to help the foreign community, theorganization now raises funds for charitable causes in Japan
including the Challenged Children Program that it runs together
with the YMCA.
This year’s gala was held at Tokyo American Club, under thetheme “Unleash Your Potential.” The TUJ volunteers helped
manage the silent auction and raffles during the evening, and theirentrepreneurial spirit helped set a record on raffle sales with allmoney going to benefit disabled children. They also contributed
to the successful operation of the event, supporting the reception
and the preparation of omiyage bags.
Two members of the TUJ Board of Overseers also serve on the
Board of the FCSC. This is the second year TUJ alumni havehelped worked the event, wearing red Temple t-shirts to show
their pride.

To learn more visit: https://www.facebook.com/fcscjapan

Tokyo Chapter
Page 2

An Open Letter to All TUJ Alumni
To all TUJ Alumni:
It is an exciting and transformative time in the history of our university. In less than one year, TUJ will relocate to a brandnew and purpose-built campus in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo.
The New TUJ Campus will provide students with an enhanced learning environment including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

A single building in a traditional university setting
Usable outdoor space and access to athletic facilities
A 50,000-volume library
Expanded studio space for art and photography programs
A dedicated art gallery for the exhibition of student art
Modern classrooms with integrated IT infrastructure
Expansive student common areas and study spaces

The move will also strengthen the growing academic partnership between Showa Women’s University (SWU) and TUJadvancing US-Japan cooperation in higher education, including an undergraduate double degree (3+2) program, a student
exchange program and joint faculty research.
None of this, however, is possible without your support.
Because TUJ receives no financial support from the Japanese government, or subsidies from its main campus in
Philadelphia, the university relies on tuition revenues, and donations from generous supporters to fund its operations.
Tuition money alone, however, cannot build The New TUJ.
A campaign is now underway to help fund the relocation of TUJ and the establishment of a new campus in Setagaya-ku,
and I am inviting all TUJ Alumni to donate to this cause. Gifts of at least ¥35,000 ($300) will be permanently recognizedon the grounds of the New TUJ Campus, and gratefully acknowledged in the following way:•••

¥35,000 / $300
¥100,000 / $1,000¥250,000 / $2,500

Donor name inscribed on a Paving Brick on the Exterior Walk
Donor name inscribed on a Library Carrel
Donor name on the Major Donor WallNaming rights for classrooms and public spaces, and other opportunities to create a lasting legacy benefitting future
generations, are also available. Information on the campus, and details on how you can donate, may be found online throughthe following link:

The New TUJ Campus will advance a global vision of higher education pioneered by Temple University in the 1980s thatrecognized that the free flow of information and ideas across cultures was critical to the creation of knowledge, and vital tofostering universal values and understanding. TUJ has been providing a superior American-style education in Japan for over
35 years. Your support can be a critical part of the next and most important chapter of our history. Donations in any
amount help TUJ create the best possible physical learning environment for students and faculty.
Thank you for your contribution.
Sincerely,

Bruce Stronach
Dean, Temple University, Japan Campus

Page 3

“It’s On Us”
Campaign to Combat Sexual Assault
TUJ has officially launched a campaign to help eradicate sexualassault within the university community. Called “It’s On Us,” thecampaign is an extension of the existing “It’s On Us PA” initiativeon Temple’s Main Campus in Philadelphia that received funding
from the State of Pennsylvania last year.
Initiated by former President Barack Obama in 2014, the US-wide
initiative has already expanded to over 500 colleges andencourages everyone at American institutions of higher education
to make a personal commitment to end sexual violence on
campus.
As part of its participation, TUJ has distributed fliers and cards at
new student orientations and mounted posters around campus
drawing attention to the issue of sexual violence. In the U.S.
sexual violence is considered a form of gender discrimination andis strictly prohibited under the Title IX civil rights law. U.S.
colleges and universities receiving federal funding are now
required to have a Title IX Coordinator on campus to respond to,and support, students making Title IX discrimination claims, andto report these incidents to university officials.

such as sexual assault and dating violence, and she will coordinate
with the Main Campus in handling cases in accordance with U.S.
law and Temple University regulations.

Effective July 2018, Nicole Depres has been designated the
Deputy Title IX Coordinator at TUJ and will report in thiscapacity to the lead Title IX Coordinator in Philadelphia. As
Director of the Office of Student Services, Depres has over ten
years of experience with student-to-student conflict and studentcare matters at TUJ. As the Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Depres
will also serve as the point of contact for students and members of
the TUJ community to report incidents covered under Title IX,

About 40% of TUJ students are from the U.S. and another 20%
enroll from more than 50 countries outside Japan. TUJ embraces
diversity and considers its demographic profile as one of theschool’s major strengths. TUJ has a variety of support services toaddress the needs of students with various religious and cultural
backgrounds, gender identities, and disabilities. The appointmentof the Deputy Title IX coordinator should further enhance thesupport services provided to a diverse and growing student body.

Nicole Depres
Deputy Title IX CoordinatorOwls Fly Home for 2018 Reunion
By Geo Otsu
Over 100 guests gathered to celebrate TUJ and mark the last
reunion in the Heisei era and the final alumni gathering before theopening of the new campus in Setagaya-ku. Attendees enjoyedfood, music and conversation with classmates and reconnectedwith long-time TUJ faculty and staff. And they marveled at anincredible view of Tokyo Tower looming overhead.
This year’s party was held at “Place of Tokyo” a venue located at
the foot of Tokyo Tower and the illuminated view of the Tower
through the glass ceiling of the room was a dramatic andmemorable highlight. Guests were also entertained by a special
performance by alumna Mami Takahashi (2006), who performeda range of song and dance together with her band.
Five alumni present at the reunion were formally recognized fortheir contributions to the TUJ New Campus Fund, and efforts toraise additional funds continued into the night. Two individuals,
including alumnus Haruka Yasuda, stepped forward to match any
donation made the night of the party - up to 250,000 yen. Nine
new donors stepped forward by the end of the evening and helped
TUJ raise an additional ¥ 990,000 toward the New TUJ Campus.
Alumna Mami Takahashi performing at the 2018 Reunion

Thank you for those who came to the party, and we look forward
to seeing more alumni next year!
See a list of Alumni donors on page 9

A Process of Learning
The New Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at TUJ reflects on His Role

By George Miller
My path to TUJ was not a traditional academic route.
I grew up in Wilmington, Delaware and I looked at The News
Journal nearly every day. During the 1980s, it was an amazing
newspaper, loaded with some of the top photographers in the
United States. I saw the images they created and I was inspired. I
wanted to be a journalist.
After I graduated from college, I found myself working as aphotojournalist for a newspaper in nearby Philadelphia and I
frequently ran into photographers from The News Journal. It wasa thrill. Fred Comegys? Pat Crowe? Jim Graham? These guys
were legends, and not just in tiny Delaware. Fred was the National
Press Photographers Association photographer of the year in
1985.
I spent time in their newsroom over the years and became friends
with some of the photographers at The News Journal. One, Susan
L. Gregg, wound up leaving the paper to become a professor at
Wilmington College (now Wilmington University). And in 2001,
after I ran into her on an assignment, she asked if I would beinterested in teaching photography at the college.
I had never taught before. I didn’t know if I could do it. I was
comfortable with my photography skills but I’d never walked
people through the process of seeing, composing, properly setting
the camera and digitally manipulating images. And I had never
explained photo theory, the understanding of what made images
good.
Most importantly, I had never learned pedagogy. I had noknowledge of how to teach, or how people learned.

So I thought about the teachers that I had studied under, the people
who had an impact on my learning and understanding.
There was Jim Thompson, my high school photo teacher andbaseball coach. He always said, “Don’t just practice. Practiceperfect.” Do everything the right way, he said, over and over andover again. That’s how you master things, whether it’s fielding
ground balls or snapping images.
Andy Ciofalo, with whom I took several classes at Loyola College(now Loyola University), challenged me to do things on my own.
He gave me tasks without a lot of guidance and it was my job tosolve problems and finish the job. It was empowering.
Michael Shapiro, my primary instructor during graduate school atColumbia University, created the most dynamic learning
environment. He walked us through ideas but he also brought
things to life by performing mock press conferences in classes andthrough other techniques. It was education but it was also so muchfun.
I planned my first class as a teacher at Wilmington College withthese people in mind. I took the best aspects from each and appliedthem to my teaching style.
It was rough at first, as it’s impossible to really appreciateclassroom management until you have to do it. I learned quickly
though. And a few years later, I left the practice of journalism to
go into academia full time. I became a journalism professor at
Temple University in 2007.
With every class I taught, I learned a lot. I saw the ways thatstudents reacted to lessons, so I adapted. I adjusted my lectures
Continued, next page

Continued from page 5
after every class session and I altered my syllabi every semester.
I modified assignments, brought in new ones and tossed aside theassignments that failed. I designed new classes to suit thestudents’ interests and the realities of the industry.
Every class and every semester has been a new experience, whichkeeps me fresh and on my toes.

excited and challenged. It’s difficult, as the best leaders stay in the
background. They quietly make things happen so that people cando their best work possible.
I’m fortunate to walk into a situation where the foundation isalready very solid. Dean Bruce Stronach and the other leadershiphere, including my predecessor, Alistair Howard, have built up
enrollment, academic standards and financial stability.

I have to constantly change, as journalism is constantly changing.
Every instructor must adapt to the students, who are also
constantly evolving. They learn differently now, thanks todifferent technologies and different life experiences.
It is a massive challenge to stay ahead of the world.

My job is to let everyone know how valuable they are to thisuniversity, and to make sure they have the support they need inorder to make this a positive learning environment for the
students.

In August, I became the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at
TUJ. I now oversee the faculty and many of the support staff who
make this place run smoothly. It’s a huge job. And again, I findmyself in a similar situation; while I have held administrative andleadership roles in the past, no one has ever actually taught me
how to be a leader.

Now, I find myself in the position of coaching my employees who
have their own staffs to lead, and I’m trying to set a good example
for what a leader can be. I try to subtly teach them that everyone’s
opinions need to be heard and considered, that the machine runs
the smoothest when everyone buys into the mission, and that
humility can be a powerful tool.

I think about the people I know who have been effective leaders,able to get the most out of their teams while keeping everyone

I’ve only been with TUJ a few months. I’m really happy here. And
I’m learning every day.

George Miller interviewed by a student in his office at TUJJoin us for the Diamond Dinner
Friday, May 31, 2019
The Tokyo American Club
Save the Date!
For More Information Contact: tujdev@tuj.temple.edu
Page 6

Changes to GI Bill Hit TUJ Veterans
By John Szalas

The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, or
the Forever GI Bill was signed into law by President Trump
August 2017. Drafted to help restructure and streamline thesystem though which US military veterans access GI Bill
benefits, the bill has also had a significant and unintended
negative impact on the university’s large veteran population due
to TUJ’s location outside the U.S. mainland.
While the legislation expanded benefits by eliminating a “use it
or lose it” provision that terminated a veteran’s educational
benefits 15-years after the end of their military service, awelcome change for most veterans, it has also had two
significantly negative consequences.
The bill reduced the overall housing allowance for veterans as apartial offset to pay for the expansion of tuition coverage; adifficult financial hit alone. The more devastating change for
TUJ students, however, is the way housing allowances are now
calculated for veterans attending school abroad.
Previously, the housing benefit under the GI Bill was determinedusing the location of a school’s main campus. In the case of TUJ,
Philadelphia. Now, student-veterans attending schools outside
the US mainland receive a blanket benefit rate of $1650 per
month, regardless of the cost of the city where they study.
According to the Pentagon’s own standards, the revised housing
allowance under the new legislation is quite meager. The Travel
Management Office at the US Department of Defense, the officethat sets foreign allowances for active duty personnel and staff,
budgets $6882.11 a month, excluding utilities or moving
expenses, for staff living in the Tokyo. A vast gap from the$1650.11 provided to students. Even less central areas welloutside Tokyo command rents exceeding the GI Bill allowance.

Compounding the problem for many veterans is that they are older,so when they do return to school it is often with families in tow whoneed support while the veteran is out of the work force completingan academic degree program.
According to TUJ’s Office of Student Services, enrollment of US
military veterans – currently 16% of the overall full-time student
population - remains steady despite the growing financial burden
the new legislation created. They acknowledge the financial
difficulty many student-veterans are experiencing, but suggest
there may be some options available through traditional sources offinancial aid that could help some students mitigate the impact of
the recent changes and better prepare financially prior to enrollingat TUJ.

universities worldwide now use the technology. By becoming a
Common App member, TUJ will streamline its application process
and gain exposure to many prospective students who may not haveotherwise considered the institution.

TUJ Joins The Common Application
John Szales contributingFirst-year students applying to the undergraduate program at
Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) for 2018-2019 will
have the ability to do so through The Common Application, an
online college application platform that supports more than three
million applicants, teachers and counselors across the UnitedStates and around the world every year.
In Japan, TUJ is the second institution to adopt the Common App
after Doshisha University. More than 800 member colleges andU.S. institutions do not typically have an entrance exam, but instead
require applicants to submit transcripts from their secondary
schools and previous institutions, as well as documentation such as
SAT/ACT scores and teacher recommendations. Although theCommon Application allows applicants to apply to multiple
universities through one account, specific universities may also
require additional documentation or personal essays.
Another benefit of the Common App for student applicants is thatit doubles as a college research tool. As you search for academic
institutions within the program, you may select parameters such as
public or private school, coed or single gender, student populationand location, allowing each student to find a school best suited totheir needs and personal preference. It also tracks application
deadlines for each institution, and provides applicants advice on
preparation, payment plans, and transfer requirements.
Continued, next pageCommon App, Continued from previous page
According to Senior Associate Dean for TUJ and Associate Deanfor Enrollment Management Chie Kato, “the Common App will
make it easier for students to apply to TUJ. 60% of TUJ students
are non-Japanese and a majority of them apply from the U.S.,
where it is a standard tool to apply to colleges. This is another way
to improve services for students coming from all over the world.”
The current TUJ page on the Common App also includes

Minato Citizens University 2018

information on the pending campus move to Setagaya-ku in 2019providing potential applicants the most up-to-date information
about what to expect as a student. While TUJ has seen record
application and enrollment numbers over the last few years
through its own online application system implemented more thana decade ago, the university hopes to reach more students globally
through this new initiative. Temple Main Campus became amember of The Common App in 2014.

In Memorium

Globalization is re-writing the idea of community by both
expanding its reach and atomizing it simultaneously.
Communities are aging, internationalizing and fragmenting
through an increase reliance on social media that can also promoteisolation.
Minato Citizen’s University, a series of lectures open to Minatoku residents and held in universities across the ward, seeks tomitigate the less desirable effects of globalization by bringing
people together in the traditional way: around common interests
and within their own neighborhoods.
TUJ has been a major supporter of the Citizen’s University since
its beginnings in 2006, and it lends a unique aspect to the program
being the only participating institution offering its lectures inEnglish.
This year TUJ offered talks on topics including, Tackling the Issueof Food Waste in Japan, A World without Mass Media and the
Impact on Communities, Finding Yourself in Your Community—
The Importance of Cross-cultural Communication, and Outsiders
and the Community in American Art and Literature.
TUJ’s participation each year is driven not only in its desire to bea good neighbor and member of the community, but also to help
draw positive connections between its own globalizing role as an
English language institution in Japan and the benefits such trends
can bring to both Japan generally, and Minato-ku specifically. The
TUJ lecture on food waste, for example, not only highlighted theglobal scale of the problem, but illustrated how local action at theward level could benefit everyone by promoting conservation,
preservation and wise usage. Other useful tips included a tutorial
on the App “tabete” that helps connect local residents to foodsources at discount prices.
TUJ has a unique role to play as the only foreign university in theward. According to Etsuko Suzuki of the TUJ Dean’s Office whoworks in Community Relations, “Temple is helping to driveinternationalization in Japan which is recognized. So at thecommunity level, participating in these activities, and showcasing
our strengths as an English speaking organization, is not only whatis expected of us from Minato ward, but one that benefit’s TUJ as
well through good relations”.

Dean William Sharp
1941-2018

Dr. William Sharp has died. Dr. Sharp was instrumental in thefounding of TUJ and served as schools’ first director and dean
from 1982-1985, and then again from 1989-1992. Between those
two appointments, he directed Temple’s Institute for Languages
and International Studies in Philadelphia and served as associatedean in the College of Arts and Sciences.
TUJ’s current dean Bruce Stronach noted, “Dr. Sharp was indeed
a Founding Father of TUJ and he will forever be an important partof our history.”
Sharp first joined Temple’s History Department faculty in 1969,
teaching courses in Latin American history and helped develop
curricula in Latin American Studies, Black History, and AsianStudies on the Philadelphia campus. Sharp also directed the
Honors Program for the College of Arts and Sciences.
A native of Minneapolis, he earned a bachelor’s degree in
American history from Stanford University and served two years
in Colombia with the Peace Corps. He later received his masterand doctoral degrees in Latin American history from the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
A past president of the Northeast Region National Collegiate
Honors Council, Sharp was chair of the American Association ofColleges and Universities in Japan for many years, representing
American universities in Japan’s educational, business andgovernmental circles. He was also a past president of the Temple
University Chapter of the American Association of University
Professors.
A Celebration of Life was held at the Cortland College InterfaithCenter in Cortland, NY on July 14, 2018.

Page 8

Thank You to Our Alumni Donors
To the New TUJ Campus
PatronToshiaki Yokozawa

Benefactor
Yuki Ikeda
Saori Kayama
Stephen Patrick
Haruka Yasuda

FriendYukie Akagawa
Pankaj Garg
John Katsuyasu Ida
Tomoko Kaneko

Jean-Pierre J. Richard
Yuriko Takatsu
Yukiko Ozawa
Mihoko Yamagata

Owl
David M. Allen
Isaac Alston
Miriam Sachs Arai
Naoya Arakawa
Nobuko Arakawa
John Boylan
Brenda Irene Bushell
Naomi Carr
Chisa Fujita
Koreaki Fujita
Raymond Gasu
Atsuko Hasegawa

Tetsuya Hirano
Yasuko Ito
Hiroshi Kamijo
Shunsuke Koga
Greg Leviton
Hideki Matsui
Momoko Chono
Mariko Nishida
Noriaki Okuda
Chieko Onozawa
Sakurako Oshima

Yuki Ota
Yuko Sato
Tomomi Sekioka
Mikhail Sukhov
Shizuko Iwamoto Tadehara
Kenji Tomizawa
F. Sigmund Topor
Toshiaki Uchiyama
Hisae Uno
Suguru Yagi
Shiho Yatabe
Masaki Yokota

Page 9

The New TUJGlobal Campus, Global Future
Opening 2019

Location

1-14 Taishido, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
東京都世田谷区太子堂 1－14

www.tuj.ac.jp/new-tuj
HELP BUILD THE NEW TUJ ･ DONATE TODAY