Parenting on Campus: A Conversation with Professor Anri Morimoto

N.I.: Professor Morimoto, what are your thoughts on the increasing number of universities with childcare centers in recent years?

A.M.: Well, ICU established Sibley House in 1957 as a dormitory for graduate students with families, and it was the most progressive dormitory in Japan back then. But unfortunately things seem to have stalled. We really need to become a model for others as a "University for Tomorrow," and avoid becoming simply a "University of Yesterday."

N.I.: But to be honest, we seem to be falling into that trap. The University of Tokyo has seven childcare centers, and many of the universities that are regarded as our competitors, like Waseda, Keio, and Sophia, also have childcare centers.

A.M.: They are all large universities though. How do they run these centers?

N.I.: It varies. In some cases, faculty members have formed an NPO to run the centers, while other universities have commissioned subcontractors. If we were to establish a childcare center at ICU, I think an ideal solution would be to open it up to the community in addition to our faculty, staff, and students. Then we might be able to obtain some community funding, which would lessen the burden on the university and the users. Now, as the decision to close the ICU Kindergarten seems to be final, can you tell us what will happen to the Kindergarten buildings, that is, Harper Hall?

A.M.: Actually, I'm not sure about that myself (laughs). The ICU Kindergarten is managed by the ICU Church, so the University doesn't have much influence on decision-making regarding it. But if we were to create a childcare center and open it up to the community, I think the site would certainly be ideal.

N.I.: Many faculty members have expressed a desire for a childcare center at ICU, including those who live on campus, as well as new or potential hires. I also think it would have great significance for university staff.

A.M.: ICU is known for its high rate of maternity and childcare leave- takers, and many of them extend their leave because they find it difficult to find childcare centers in the community. This also makes it difficult for the university from an administrative viewpoint. So another positive contribution of a childcare center on campus is that people would be able to come back to work sooner.

N.I.: There have also been calls for a maternity leave system for undergraduate and graduate students. Leave-of-absence fees place such a burden on students' limited finances, especially since pregnancy and childbirth are already so expensive.

A.M.: I've heard similar opinions from graduate students and ICU students going abroad on a non-exchange basis. Personally, I'd like to try out a "continuation fee" system, which would allow students to maintain their status at a minimal cost. I've just remembered a happy story (laughs). About 20 years ago when I'd just started teaching at ICU, one student couple had a child. I thought that it would make their lives too difficult and jeopardize their graduation prospects, but they both managed to graduate. And then last year an ICU student came up to me and said to my delight, "I'm the daughter of that couple!" These things really do happen sometimes. I think increasing life-cycle diversity will one day lead to a greater understanding of issues concerning children, the elderly and those with disabilities in our society, which would be a positive step for all parties concerned. That is the goal we should be heading toward even though we must take it one step at a time.

N.I.: Yes, we are all looking forward to ICU's progress and contributions in this field. Thank you for your time today.

The full text of this article is available in Japanese.