Twelve new members were appointed to the Tohoku University Student Council at an official ceremony at Katahira campus on July 10. The new council - which will serve for a year - comprises six undergraduate and six graduate students, including two international students.
![](/en/news/images/099_new_members_of_the_student_council_appointed_for_ay2024_25_pic2.jpg)
In his speech, President Teiji Tominaga congratulated the students and spoke of the responsibilities that come with the platform they now have. "The student council system is an opportunity for students and the university to exchange opinions about daily life on campus. By better understanding your concerns and ideas, we hope to create a more fulfilling educational and research environment for everyone."
He added that feedback received from previous student council members had resulted in recent improvements on campus such as stronger wireless LAN, more frequent shuttle buses and extended cafeteria hours. "We want to harness the power of our students' voices and be a university where students and young researchers can actively contribute at all levels," he said.
![](/en/news/images/099_new_members_of_the_student_council_appointed_for_ay2024_25_pic3.jpg)
![](/en/news/images/099_new_members_of_the_student_council_appointed_for_ay2024_25_pic4.jpg)
After the ceremony, the new student councilors had their first roundtable-style discussion with President Tominaga, Executive Vice President for General Affairs, Financial Affairs and International Relations Toshiya Ueki, Executive Vice President for Education and Student Support Hirotsugu Takizawa and Executive Vice President for 虎扑电竞 Asako Sugimoto.
A dominant theme in the discussion was the need for more free space, with one student suggesting a 24-hour study space on Kawauchi campus. "During exam periods, having a place to study at any time would be very beneficial," he said.
![](/en/news/images/099_new_members_of_the_student_council_appointed_for_ay2024_25_pic5.jpg)
There were also calls for more private areas for writing research papers and internship interviews. "For graduate students who cannot use their own rooms or labs for various reasons, the Main Library's private study rooms are crucial for writing papers and focused research," said one graduate student. "As those rooms tend to fill up quickly, we would like to ask you to make more available."
"We often find ourselves doing online interviews or online classes in our research rooms, which is not ideal," said another student. "It would be helpful to have more private rooms on campus where we can participate in these activities without disturbing others."
![](/en/news/images/099_new_members_of_the_student_council_appointed_for_ay2024_25_pic6.jpg)
![](/en/news/images/099_new_members_of_the_student_council_appointed_for_ay2024_25_pic7.jpg)
In response, the university's executives said they were aware of the need for more study spaces and assured the students that their feedback will be communicated to the Main Library and relevant departments. "Ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment is a priority for us," said Takizawa.
Still on the topic of facilities but on a slightly different note, one student said he hoped the gym at Kawauchi campus could be improved with more equipment as "exercise is also important for our physical and mental health."
On the academic front, the group discussed and suggested ways to promote interdisciplinary education, handle lab assignments and schedules, and enhance student support. There were also questions about the impact of AI on the integrity of academic reports.
![](/en/news/images/099_new_members_of_the_student_council_appointed_for_ay2024_25_pic8.jpg)
![](/en/news/images/099_new_members_of_the_student_council_appointed_for_ay2024_25_pic9a.jpg)
"The university already has strict guidelines regarding the use of generative AI for assignments and we are continually updating these guidelines as technology advances," said Takizawa. "We have designed our evaluation system based on the assumption that students will use these tools."
The two-hour session was lively and positive, with the students and university executives speaking freely and often with good humour. In many instances, notes were taken and promises were made to consider possible solutions.
Tohoku University established the Student Council in 2021, the first national university in Japan to do so. It is part of the Connected University strategy and aims to facilitate communication between students and university management.
![](/en/news/images/099_new_members_of_the_student_council_appointed_for_ay2024_25_pic10.jpg)
虎扑电竞:
Tohoku University General Affairs and Planning Department
Tel: 022-217-4807
Email: gen-somgrp.tohoku.ac.jp