Aiming at further improvement/enhancement of education and research| Towards Ensuring Improvement and Enhancement |Respective
organizations

Monitoring and Review,and Requests for improvementfrom the president

Improvement andenhancement

Formulation of
the policy and planfor the next
academic year

Requests for
improvement fromthe president

The whole university
Self-study fromthe perspective of
the whole university

Review

Monitoring

Respective
organizations
Endeavors

Respectiveorganizations
Formulation of the policy andplan for the academic year

The whole university
Formulation of
the Mid-Term Plan

〈 IQA Flow Chart 〉

It was decided in academic year 2017 thatthe self-study report made by the Self-Study
Committee will be sent to the president,
who then identifies the urgent matters thatneed to be improved and makes requests
for improvement. After improvement wasachieved, the committee will report the results
to the president. In addition to this flow, fromthe academic year of 2019, we started to takea monitoring and review approach to facilitate
the efficient and effective IQA. By doing so,
we ensure the results from the self-study leadto improvement and enhancement of ouruniversity.

External evaluations of colleges and graduate schools that is unheard of in other universities
External evaluation is very important as an opportunity to receive objective evaluation. Ritsumeikan University
has numerous colleges and graduate schools in a wide range of academic fields, and conducts not only externalevaluation of the whole university, but also external evaluation for the respective special fields in all colleges andgraduate schools. External evaluators selected from each academic and society field evaluate the education andresearch activities of each college and graduate school, and the evaluations are utilized for improvements andenhancements. No other university carries out external evaluations of their respective colleges and graduate
schools in such a large-scale and systematic way.

The Office of University Assessment was established in March 2005 with the aim of working towards
the establishment and promotion of university assessment activities in Ritsumeikan University, andcontributing to new reform and development of the university. Under the mission of the Ritsumeikan
Charter, namely enhancing the quality of education and research, based on Ritsumeikan’s history andfeatures, to international standards, the Office of University Assessment and Institutional Research isstriving daily to achieve these goals.
The organization responsible for promoting internal quality assurance (IQA) in the university as a whole,is the Self-Study Committee. The Office of University Assessment and Institutional Research functions as
the Self-Study Committee’s secretariat.

President
Self-Study Committee

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Endeavors have been carried out based on the Mid-TermPlan (seven-year plan) concerning university assessment
activities that were formulated in AY2011 towards the AY2018
Third University Accreditation*.
Based on the Ritsumeikan Charter, the newly formulated
R2030 Plan and the university accreditation results etc., wewill formulate and promote the Mid-Term Plan concerning theuniversity’s assessment activities for the Fourth UniversityAccreditation.
Through these endeavors we aim to create a “culture ofquality” in Ritsumeikan University.

Student Affairs Subcommittee
Social Cooperation Subcommittee
Academic Affairs Subcommittee
Student Enrollment Subcommittee
Education and Research Environment Subcommittee
University Management and Finance Subcommittee

College, Graduate School

Conceptual Image of the Promotion of IQA
Subcommittees for respective fields are establishedunder the Self-Study Committee. The subcommittees
are responsible for encouraging active IQA within eachrelevant organization, and performing reviews andassessments of relevant fields from the perspective of
the whole university.
In particular the Academic Affairs Subcommittee
compiles data concerning diverse educational practices
and the results of self-studies from 16 colleges and22 graduate schools (as of AY2020), and provides therelevant information that serves as the basis for reviews
and assessments in the field of academic affairs.

* University accreditation conducted bythe Japan University Accreditation AssociationOffice of University Assessment and Institutional Research(Secretariat: Office of Planning and Operations Management)

Ritsumeikan Suzaku Campus
Nishinokyo-Suzaku-cho 1, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8520
Tel: 075-813-8251
URL：http://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/assessment/

JR/Subway

Kyoto Station
Subway Karasuma Line
Approx. 5 min
HankyuOsaka-umeda
StationJRApprox. 10 min

Karasuma Oike
StationHankyu
Approx. 40 min

JR/Subway

Nijo Station

2 minuteson footRitsumeikan
SuzakuCampusSubway Tozai LineApprox. 4 minHankyu

Omiya Station

10 minutes
on foot

Detailed information regarding the above matters, self-study
reports, external evaluation results of respective colleges andgraduate schools etc., can be viewed on the “Office of University
Assessment and Institutional Research” website.
April 2020 Office of University Assessment and Institutional Research

Purpose of the Self-Study Committee

Organization of the Self-Study Committee* From Ritsumeikan University’s Self-Study Committee Regulations

Chairperson:
The vice-president in charge of Academic Affairs
Committee members:
College deans, graduate school deans, the managers of thefollowing divisions; Division of Academic Affairs, Division ofAdmissions, Division of Research, Division of International Affairs,Division of Student Affairs, Division of Career Services, Divisionof General Affairs, Division of Financial Affairs, the library director
and other members appointed by the chairperson
Secretariat Director:
Office of University Assessment and Institutional Research
Executive Director

1. Grasp the situations surrounding education and research
activities and strive towards improving education and research,in order to improve the standard of education and research inthe university, and accomplish the purpose and social missionsof the university (hereinafter referred to as “self-study”).
2. Conduct self-study and, based on the results thereof, promote
continuous improvement of education, research, and otheractivities, in order to ensure the quality of the university’s
education and research (hereinafter referred to as “internalquality assurance”).

Due to the necessity for self-study from the perspective of the whole university in IQA, a conference consisting of theheads of respective subcommittees has been established under the Self-Study Committee. Respective subcommittees
and organizational meetings are cooperating towards furthering these efforts. Regarding the appropriateness and validityof the IQA system itself, verification is carried out based on feedback obtained through holding the University Assessment
Committee which is composed of external evaluators.

Diagram showing the relationships
between IQA organizations

AspectSystem

SupportStudent
participation

Committees etc.

Verification of validity(educational activities)

Verification of validity(other activities)

Review

Board of Trustees (Chairperson: Chairman of the Board of Trustees), Trust Council
Executive Board of Trustees (Chairperson: Chancellor) College Dean Trustee System
University Senate(Chairperson: President)

President (Chancellor)

UniversityThe whole university

UniversityAssessment
Committee (external)

Verification of the validity of matters relating to the university as a whole[Main actor] Self-Study Committee (Chairperson: Vice-President, Secretariat Director: Office of University Assessment

Plenary
Council ofthe University

Executive Director) *the university-wide organization responsible for promoting IQA (the university-wide IQA organization)

Institutional Certified
Evaluation andAccreditation

Heads of Subcommittees’ Conference (Chairperson: Vice-President)* From the perspective of the whole university, Mission and Purpose,IQA(1) Academic Affairs Committee
others(2) Committee on Research
Administration others

Colleges andgraduate schools

ProgramInstitute for Teaching and Learning etc.

By field(3) Committee on Entrance
Examination others● Mission and Purpose ● Educational Program and Outcome(1) Academic Affairs Subcommittee ● Faculty Members and Faculty Organization ● Student Enrollment(2) Education and Research
Environment Subcommittee(3) Student Enrollment
Subcommittee(4) Student Affairs Subcommittee(4) Student Life Committee
others● Education and Research Organization ● Education and Research Environment● Student Enrollment● Student Support(5) Social Cooperation Subcommittee ● Social Cooperation and Contribution(5) International Education
Centers’ Meetings others(6) University Management andFinance Subcommittee(6) Academic Management
Plan Committee others● University Management, Financial Affairs

Verification of the validity ofeducational programs[Main actor] Colleges (Faculty Councils),
Graduate Schools (Committees)
Executive Department Meeting,
Planning Committee, FD Committee others

Undergraduate
and Graduate
Students’
Conference

External evaluationsof respective
colleges andgraduate schools(program review)

Verification of the validity of various activities[Main actor] Respective organizations

Third-party
evaluations,accreditations
for professional
graduateschools etc.

ClassVerification of the validity ofclass contents and methods[Main actor] Faculty members

IQA in the field of academic affairs has the following organizational structure: President – Self-Study Committee –Academic Affairs Subcommittee – colleges/graduate schools – faculty members. A structure whereby each college andgraduate school works autonomously towards managing academic affairs and evaluations within a broad anduniversity-wide framework, including the Ritsumeikan Charter, Mid-Term Plan, educational guidelines etc., is the systemthat suits Ritsumeikan University, which has numerous colleges, graduate schools etc.

Systematic diagram of IQA system
focused on education
ReportExecutive Board of Trustees(college deans participate as trustees)

Inquiry
Chairperson

President

ReportRequests for
improvement

Chairperson
PolicyUniversity

 The Ritsumeikan Charter Mid-Term Plan Campus Master Plan
 Faculty Organization
Development Plan Graduate School Mid-TermPlan

Concrete development in diverse forms

Plenary Council ofthe University(discussion between students
and university executives)

Program Courseoverview

MaterializationPolicyClass Syllabus– Class overview andmethod– Goals for participants– Grading policies/criteria(the supreme organization of academic affairs)
Commitment
Implementation of policies
 Academic Affairs Committee,
Graduate School Academic Affairs Committee Campus Future Vision Review Committee
 Study Committee for Faculty Organization Development Plan

Presenting challenges, systems, and frameworks shared by
the university as a whole and considering reform proposals(Executive Department Meeting, Planning Committee, FD Committee)

 Department, Major and Center Meeting<Verification tools (criteria)>
 Educational guidelines(educational improvement guidelines established by the university)

Undergraduate andGraduate Students’Conference(a meeting between
students and the faculty)

Verification of the validity ofmatters relating to the university
as a whole and conforming to theacademic vision Education and research organization
 Internationalization of education
 Appropriateness of facultyorganizations
 Education utilizing ICT
 Appropriateness of facilities andequipment<Verification activities>
 Creation of a “Self-Study
Report” for the university as awholeSummer review
Spring review(confirmation of acknowledgment ofthe present situation/conditions anddiscussions on policy agendas) Learning and growth survey
 Graduate career survey
 General tendencies of class questionnaires
 Questionnaire survey for supporting graduate school career pathformation
 Survey on the number of students exceeding the standard period of study Grade distribution  Student enrollment data
Improvement and reform Improvement based on the plan outline for the following academicyear (every year) Curriculum reform (mid-term) Faculty members ●Course (course group) teachers’ meeting<Verification tools (criteria)>
 Class questionnaire Interactive sheet Communication paper Class support system ES/TA Activity Status Report
 Various surveys and examination tests
 Grade distribution

UniversityAssessment
Committee (external)

Self-Study Committee

Heads of subcommittees’ conference
Publication

Academic Affairs Subcommittee

Stating opinions and providing explanations
concerning curriculum modifications and reforms

Implementation of policies
 Faculty Councils, Graduate School Committees

Policy “Three policies”
Diploma Policy, Curriculum
Policy, Admission Policy Curriculum map
 Curriculum tree
 Course provision policy(for each academic year)

University Senate

ReportUtilization
foraccreditation

Report
University-wide organizations etc.
<Support mechanisms, activities>
 Revision of human resource development
purposes, educational purposes and the threepolicies
 Support for improving educational programs,
class contents and methods
 Development of educational outcome verification
methods
 Support for ICT utilization
 Provision of international educational programs
 Provision of FD programs
 Provision of research ethics educational
programs
 Provision of research skill enhancement
programs
 Establishment of educational capacity
strengthening budgets
 Organization of peer support groups
 Implementation of self-study in the course(course group), teachers’ meetings etc.
 FD program for new faculty members(improvement of education methods)
 Distribution of a manual for creating online
syllabus entries
 Syllabus contents check ES/TA system
 FD planning

Faculty councils,
graduate school committees
Verification of the validity of educational programs Educational programs
systematicity andconsistency
 Appropriateness ofeducational methods
 Verification of educational
outcomes

 Appropriateness of learning
support Conformance to socialneeds
 Appropriateness of thefaculty organization
 Appropriateness of facilities
and equipment<Verification activities>

 Preparation of “Academic Review and Plan Outline for the
Following Academic Year”

Faculty members
Verification of validity of class contents andmethods

 Consistency between syllabuses and class contents
 Substantialize credits
 Class questionnaire Rigorous grading

External evaluations ofrespective colleges
and graduate schools(program review)
Third-party evaluations,accreditations for
professional graduate
schools etc.
Publication

Utilizationfor
accreditation