THE APU TIMES

For those who went back to their home countries, or did not visit APU during the vacation, the new garden in front of the bus stop should have come as a surprise. Apart from that, four other benches were constructed on the left of cafeteria, entrance of F building, left of library and besides BII building. However, looking at the top of the benches, a lot of students ask the same question, ’where is the roof’?

Yuan Ze University and Greenery

These were the construction done on the auspicious occasion of 10^th anniversary of APU’s establishment. Funded by Domestic Student’s Parents Association, the project cost around 23,500,000 yen or 2350万. The association had some funds and was looking for ways to build something that would be environmentally friendly, last long, facilitate the exchange among students from different backgrounds and would be a good monument for 10^th anniversary. In December 2008, different ideas were collected from students, staffs, parents and others related to APU in any sense. Later, during a visit to Yuan Ze University, Taiwan, the idea surfaced. APU visitors were impressed by the greenery of the Taiwanese university. However, APU being a university on top of a hill was not so green at all. So, it was decided to build garden and benches.

Bus Park or a Garden?

Certainly, the garden has added some greenery to APU and projected APU as more environmentally friendly university. It has also made use of the seemingly underused area in front of the bus. The tall clock tower has added to its beauty as students find it easy to look at time while getting off the bus or waiting for the bus. But a survey by The APU Times found that only 2 out of 3 respondents think that it has added to beauty of APU with 1 in 5 students thinking it has not. However, it can be reasonably expected that as the plants grow and flowers blossom, the percentage of students will only spike upwards. Despite this, a lot of students feel that the space is really crowded during the rush hours, obstructing the movement of students.

The Round Table

As for the benches, they were to facilitate the exchange of students. That was the very purpose of having a single big round table under one shade. That was a noble intention. Yet, Furukawa Keiko, Assistant Administrative Manager of Parents and Alumni Association, rightly feels that it has not been optimally used so far mainly because of bad weather conditions. And the same survey by the newspaper found that 2 out of 5 students have never used the benches. Keiko requested everybody to take the advantages of such structures and work towards making APU a truly international university.

Location of the Benches

Why were the benches constructed where they are? In our survey, significant number of students complained that they students were not consulted about the construction even though it was meant for them. However, Keiko acknowledged that it was totally the students’ decision regarding location of the benches. Questionnaire was placed on campus terminal which could be accessed by every student and based on the results of the questionnaire, top four spots were chosen. Hence, the allegations of students seem baseless in this regard.

And what about the roof?

 Besides every bench, there is a plant which will grow up to cover the whole roof. According to Keiko, it would take around two years for the purpose. And for two years? Few complain that since it does not have any roof, it will be difficult to use during the summer, since sun rays will directly hit the students. Equally true is when it rains for it cannot be used. Hopefully, the students in second year and below will be able to exchange their ideas under the fully covered roof.

Opportunity Cost

Financially, it cost the association 2350000yen for the project and the association believes that the money was wisely used for the purpose. Ironically, students believe otherwise. Only 1 out of 5 students agree with the association in this regard. While a significant portion of students feel that there are or could be other better ways of spending the precious financial resources. Pointing to the ever crowded cafeteria or waiting people at media centre, they feel that APU needs urgent expansion of other resources along with the increasing number of students.

What Next?

Though some students are indifferent to it, many of the respondents feel that it would be better if there were more flowers, with some symbolic meaning if possible. Taking care and maintenance would be another thing of utmost importance. However, equally large number of students is concerned about the roof questioning the logic behind the two years wait for roof.

Now that it is constructed, this Times requests all of its readers to make proper use of those constructions, and participate when the administration seeks the ideas of students. At the same time, it hopes that the administration will work more closely with students when constructing services for students.

Domestic Students’ Parents Association provides assistance to domestic students appearing for TOEFL or TOEIC exams, meanwhile also supporting those who make travel for their Job Hunting.