For a safe and comfortable campus environment, it is important for each of us to observe rules and manners. Please make sure to read the campus rules and manners carefully.

Campus rules

Smoking

To prevent risks of passive smoking and outbreak of fire, smoking is prohibited except in designated areas on campus. In Chiyoda ward, smoking is prohibited on all streets according to Living Environment Regulations.

Mobile Phones

Please refrain from talking on cellular devices in classrooms, libraries, and computer rooms to avoid causing disturbances.
Also, it is prohibited to charge mobile phones using campus power outlets. It is strictly forbidden to turn off the power to AV equipment in classrooms as it may to cause technical difficulties.

Commuting by Vehicles is Prohibited

Commuting by vehicles (cars, motorbikes, and bicycles) is prohibited at Sophia. Please do not drive your vehicle into campus.
Please note that parking of cars or bicycles is prohibited on all streets surrounding the University.

Recycling

There are four types of garbage containers on campus:Combustible (papers), Incombustible (cans and glass bottles), Incombustible (plastics), and PET bottles.
Please do not litter on campus; sort the garbage and keep the campus clean.

Posters and Flyers

Posters, flyers, and loudspeaker announcements sharing information and advertising on campus are only permitted to extracurricular activity groups that have received permission in advance. If any suspicious activity is spotted, please notify the Center for Student Affairs.

Relaying of Messages

The University cannot accept any requests by telephone to relay messages to students, except in the case of emergency situations. For the protection of personal confidentiality, we do not accept any inquiries for information on any student’s enrollment, address, telephone number, etc. from outside of the University, unless it is an exceptional case.

Protection of Braille Signage

You will find Braille blocks (campus streets etc.) and Braille signage (elevators etc.) where necessary on campus. Help to protect the signs; do not place any obstacles on the Braille blocks or carelessly damage the Braille signs.

Crime Prevention

Beware of Thefts

Reports on thefts in libraries and locker rooms on campus are increasing. To protect yourself against theft, make sure to never leave your personal belongings unattended and to always be on guard.

～Avoid Becoming a Victim

1. Always keep your valuables with you.
2. Always keep an eye on your personal belongings. Do not leave
   them unattended even for a brief moment.
3. Avoid using simple combinations for your card PIN number.
4. Make sure to lock room doors. (Especially the small meeting
   rooms for student clubs in Hoffmann Hall)

～Cases of Theft

1. In the dining hall, students took their wallet out of their bag and left the bag on the chair to reserve a spot; the bag was stolen while they were away.
2. In the classrooms or libraries, there were cases where students left their belongings on the desks unattended for two or three minutes; the items were stolen.
3. In the reading area of the library, students dozed off; when they woke up, their belongings were gone.
4. Students left their belongings in the locker room and went to exercise in the gym; cash was stolen from their wallet.
5. While students were participating in club activities in a classroom, the belongings left in the corridor were stolen.
6. Students left the classroom or research room empty for a short while; purses were stolen.

～If You Become a Victim of Theft

Submit a Theft Report to the Center for Student Affairs or Office of Mejiro Seibo Campus. If cash or credit cards were stolen, immediately report to the police and credit card companies. Some stolen items may be turned in as lost and found to the Office of Environment and Facility Management Bureau of General Affairs (Building 2, 1st floor) or Office of Mejiro Seibo Campus; please make sure to check.
If you see anyone suspicious on campus, notify the Main Gate Guard Station, Center for Student Affairs, or Office and Gate Guard of Mejiro Seibo Campus.

Precautions Safety and Security Awareness

As students of Sophia University, we hope you will make sensible decisions based on sound judgment. To help good decision-making, a list of precautions are listed below

Use of Alcohol

Many reports of cases of students taken to the hospital by ambulance for acute alcohol poisoning caused by binge drinking are reported at events where drinking is involved. Symptoms of acute alcohol poisoning include nausea, slurred speech, and loss of consciousness which may result in death. Alcohol affects each individual differently. If you are peer-pressured to drink when you are uncomfortable, stay resolved and find the courage to say no.
Take extra precautions when attending events such as Freshman welcome parties or club camps.

~Underage Drinking/Coercion
Just as underage drinking or peer-pressuring underage individuals to drink are both serious violations of the law, so is overlooking it.
If a person is peer-pressuring another to drink, whether underage or not, it is harassment and is not permitted. Sophia University will impose severe punishment on anyone involved in such a case.

Use of Drugs

Drug addictions often begin by temptation in downtown entertainment districts or by influence of friends. Never give in to curiosity, as “just once” may have irreversible consequences. Use of drugs carries high risk of brain damage, addiction, as well as physical and mental residual disabilities. The damage caused by drug abuse can be permanent with no treatment to cure. Recently, newspaper articles frequently report cases in which users of illegal drugs are taken away in an ambulance or are found driving cars that caused fatal accidents.
Do not give in to temptation to protect your own life as well as others around you. Sophia strongly condemns the use of drugs and will impose severe punishment on anyone involved in this illegal act.

Student Loan/Credit Card

Using credit cards and borrowing student loans may feel like an easy way to live life, but remember to borrow with caution as interest piles up, creating debts that may impose on your university life. Credit
cards conveniently allow individuals to purchase things even if they don’t have cash. However, please remember that it is only borrowed money, so make sure you have a repayment plan established.

Social Media (LINE, Instagram, X, Facebook, etc.)

The advancement of technology has brought about the convenience of Social Media. While there are many good sides to Social Media, it is very important to think about what you post as once it is online,
it cannot be completely deleted. The history will remain, and may be used for unwanted purposes. Think carefully about how people perceive your posts and always keep in mind that social media affects your future opportunities.

～Do Not Become a Victim
• Using Charged Sites ：
Before using a site that charges money, read the terms of service and check to understand the fee structure before using. When you receive an invoice, check whether you have an obligation to pay.

• Click Fraud：
Simply clicking on a link or pictures on some websites auto- matically register you and charge you for using the site. If your IP address is registered, your personal information (i.e. name, contact numbers, etc.) will not be released. If you receive an invoice from suspicious or unfamiliar sources, ignore it.

• Phishing：
Phishing is a type of deception to attempt to steal your identity and PIN by sending you email messages that appear to come from existing companies or banks. If you click on a fraudulent link in the message text, you are directed to a phishing site. Double check on its authenticity by telephone or checking official websites.

• Troubles Caused by Disclosure of Personal Information：
Disclosure of personal information can lead to unexpected trouble. Exercise caution and only release your information when necessary. Extreme care is advised on the Internet when disclosing information that may identify you such as your real name, age, and affiliation. Cases of intimidation and harassment have been reported.

• Stalking Victim：
Do not release any information that may give hints to potential stalkers such as the name of university, home station, trip schedules, and accommodation.

Unscrupulous Part-Time Jobs

Increased numbers of part-time job conditions are considered as violations of the Labor Standards Act. Some of these conditions include expectations of full time students to work a full time schedule (causing trouble for learning), and not offering choices for shift hours, making it difficult to attend classes or join extra-curricular activities. If you have any doubts about your work environment or conditions, call this free consultation
service: Hotline for consultation of labor conditions: 0120-531-401 (Service in English)

Deceptive Business Practices/Investment Scam

More and more young people are being deceived by deceptive trade practices. Recently, new types of deceptive business practices are increasing. Do not make yourself an easy prey.
Below are a few examples of typical cases:

1.Catch Sales
Con-artists “catch” you in the streets or in places like large bookstores and start friendly conversations with you. They convince you to purchase memberships to movie theaters, esthetic salons, travel clubs, cosmetic lines, etc.

2.Fortune Telling Fraud
A fraudulent fortune teller will tell you a bad fortune; they will make you feel anxious that an evil spirit threatens you, keeps the spirits of your ancestors restless, or that a family member will become ill. They will convince you to purchase an overpriced product to remove the threat (i.e. china pot, seal set, etc.).

3.Appointment Sales/Telemarketing
Con-artists will call you on the telephone or send you a postcard to tell you that you have won a big prize and to come and pick it up, or to register for a reward. When you do as you are asked, they will have you sign up to buy language learning materials, certification courses, jewelry, memberships, etc.

4.Multi-level Marketing/ Investment Scam
Multi-level marketing can seem like an easy way to make money.
Pay a membership fee upon purchase of an item, but also receive money for referring friends, which they claim will be more than the membership fee amount. However, the truth is, the referral money you receive is much less than the membership fee, therefore a rip off. You may also lose the friendships of those that you refer to (Some examples of Multi-level Marketing products include water purifiers, bed linens, detergent, supplements, cosmetics, FX,virtual currency, etc.)

5.Self Development Seminars
Seminars to “succeed in life” and “to improve yourself”; you will be charged overpriced fees for participation and learning materials for success motivation. When you complete the seminar, you will be strongly urged to solicit new participants.

~How to Prevent Getting Scammed
•  Do not respond to any invitation from strangers or reply to questionnaires on the street.
•  Do not give your name, telephone number, email addresses except when necessary.
•  Say no when you do not want the product or service.
•  Do not answer in an ambiguous tone that gives the solicitors a chance to win you over.
•  Do not sign or stamp your seal unless it is necessary.
•  Do not sign a contract on the spot; consider and talk it over with your family or friends.
•  Before you sign any contract, have the contents explained until you fully understand.

6.Cooling-off System
The cooling-off system is a period of time following a purchase that allows the purchaser to cancel a transaction and return goods they may have received for any reason and receive a full refund. If pressured into signing a contract by a highly persuasive salesperson, the cooling-off system protects you with the ability to cancel the contract by sending a contract cancellation notification to the other party. This is done through contentscertified mail or certified mail with the return receipt (make copies of the record). This must be taken care of within 8 days for door-to-door sales (including “catch sales”, appointment sales) or telemarketing, within 20 days for Multi-level Marketings, both counting from the day of signing (must be sent postmarked by the deadline dates respectively).

~Where to Contact for Claims on Damages Caused by Deceptive
Business Practices or on Product Damages or Mishaps
* Tokyo Metropolitan Comprehensive Consumer Center (Iidabashi):Tel. 03-3235-1155
* Chiyoda ward Consumer Affairs Center: Tel. 03-5211-4314
* National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan Consumer advice:Tel. 03-3446-0999
* Official website of National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan:
www.kokusen.go.jp/ncac_index_e.html

Solicitation by Cult Groups

Cults have been causing problems and are becoming major social issues; some cases have been reported on Sophia University’s campus. Once you’ve joined a group, you will be brainwashed and forced to participate in activities as well as donate a large amount of money to the group. Be cautious and do not let cults affect your student life. Sophia University prohibits any kind of soliciting on campus. If you encounter or witness such activity, immediately inform the Main Gate Guard Station (03-3238-3000) or the Center for Student Affairs (03-3238-3525). Cases on the internet (SNS, etc.) have recently been reported; please be extremely cautious.

～Various Methods of Soliciting

•  Soliciting by Fake Sports or Volunteer Student Circles:
Keeping their religious elements hidden, the cult groups approach you as sports or volunteer
student circles. When they start talking about religion, do not interact with them.

• Soliciting by FakeSeminars on Peaceor Self Development:
Legitimate religious groups do not pretend to be something else under false names.
These fake seminars pretend to discuss serious issues and try to brainwash you showing
videos as study material. A hint to detect fake seminars is the duration of meetings;
if they make you attend a seminar that goes on for hours, it is a sign to be on guard.

• Soliciting on the Street:
The solicitors ask you to “answer questionnaires” or to let them “practice fortune-telling”
and then at the end make you buy overpriced products or join their group.

• Other Solicitations:
→Solicitors approach you asking questions such as “where is the student dining hall?” to find out your personal information and then invite you to come to their gatherings.
→You will be asked to “join a seminar” on various themes and to write down your personal information (name, telephone number etc.) on questionnaires.
→You will be asked by fake sports (tennis etc.) groups to “join a sports event that is coming up soon” and to give your personal information (name, telephone number, etc.)
→You will be asked to “help on a day job for a student” and to give your personal information (name, telephone number etc.)
→You will be invited to “come to a singing gathering where you can make friends with many students” and will be asked for your personal information (name, telephone number etc.)
→You will read messages on the Internet (SNS etc.) of people who “have joined an exciting student circle” and if you become interested and react, you will be asked to join.

~Characteristics of Cult Groups

•  They hide their religious content and solicit by dishonest means such as threatening.
•  Cult organizations command absolute obedience and criticize the world outside their group to extremes.
•  They deny the past lives of the believers and try to sever all ties with family and friends.
•  They live according to extremely strict rules and individuality of believers is not respected.
•  They control or even deny any information coming from the outside.
•  They despise orthodox religion.

~If You Feel There is Something Strange

•  Never give out personal information (name, telephone number, address, email address, SNS accounts)
•  Say no. The solicitor may seem to be a very attractive, gentle and caring person; he/she is a convinced believer and invites you with good intentions. Still, you must say no.
•  Discuss the situation with someone you trust. If the solicitor tells you “not to talk with friends or family”, it is very probable that the group is a cult organization trying to sever your ties with society; do not listen to them.
•  Do not hesitate to consult with the staff of the Center for Student Affairs if you are not certain whether a group is a cult or not.
•  Please contact the staff of the Center for Student Affairs if a friend is acting strangely and you suspect a cult group is involved.

Harassment

Sophia University is committed to provide a fair and safe learning environment for all students and will therefore not tolerate any kind of harassment, be it sexual, academic, or power.

~If You Become a Victim

• Please do not hesitate to consult with the University thinking that you might be harassed because of your fault. Consult with the University as soon as possible.
•  If you apply for a consultation at any of the consultation desks, you will be able to meet with a consultant and work together with he/she to solve your problem.
•  If the problem cannot be resolved through consultation alone, you may make a complaint in accordance with the University’s internal procedures.
•  Keep a record of what happened and the time and place it occurred; the record will serve as objective information for solving cases of harassment.
•  If you feel you are physically or sexually endangered, take immediate action.
Contact the police without delay.

~Avoid Becoming a Perpetrator
When students are in a hierarchical relationship with each other, it is difficult for junior students to say no. Those who are to provide guidance in labs and extracurricular activities, etc., should be careful that their guidance to junior students does not constitute harassment.

~Where to Seek Advice
Advice for all types of harassment is available on campus by visiting or calling Consulting Office or through Sophia’s official website. For more information, please refer to Sophia University’s official website.
In addition, Off-Campus Harassment Consultation Service is also available by calling, writing, sending e-mail or through the website. For more information, please refer to Off-Campus Harassment Consultation Service website posted on the “Loyola” bulletin board.

Page on harassment: https://piloti.sophia.ac.jp/eng/ soudan/harassment/
Page on Off-Campus:https://piloti.sophia.ac.jp/ eng/soudan/harassment/ off-campus_harassment_ consultation/

Stalking

Stalking begins as a romantic entanglement, etc. but if it escalates, there is a risk that it may lead to serious crimes such as violence. If you feel that you have been the victim of stalking, please consult with the University or the police as soon as possible. It is also possible that you may be seemed as the perpetrator without realizing it.Please put yourself in the other person’s shoes and reflect on your own actions.

~If You are Being Stalked

•  Talk with family, friends, or the University. If you feel you are in physical danger, call the police immediately.
•  As evidence material for police or lawyers, keep a record of emails or photos. Keeping a diary would also be beneficial.
•  If you are living alone, take all possible security precautions. When you reach home, check for any suspicious persons before opening the door.

~Avoid Becoming a Perpetrator
You may just want to express your feelings, so you may frequently e-mail or call him or her, or you may end up in the classroom or at the school gate because you are unable to reach him or her. However, this kind of behavior may be not only annoying but also disgusting or frightening to the other person. If the other person express even slightly uncomfortable feelings, stop immediately. There are increasing numbers of students who are struggling because although they want to stop, they cannot help but to stalk. If you have problems in over-attaching in romantic or friendship based relationships, please do not try to handle it on your own; do not hesitate to talk with the staff of Counseling Services.

~What is stalking?
Stalking is punishable under the Stalking Control Law. Stalking behavior includes the following.

•  Loitering, following around, waiting at or going uninvited to the home, school, or work place
•  Anonymous/constant phone calls,emails, SNS
•  Announcing that you are watching
•  Obscene behavior causing embarrassment or shame
•  Demanding to meet privately or to date
•  Offensive, degrading remarks/ verbal abuse
•  Sending things covered with filth
•  Obtaining the other person’s location information by GPS device, etc., without permission.