わが国の分散キャンパスの研究 : 実態の調査・分析とメリット化策の提案

論文(Article)

The problems related to education, research and administrative operation that led to dispersed campuses are large, but their current status is unclear. This paper will cover three points: (1) quantitatively ascertain the status of dispersed campuses in Japan's national public and private universities, (2) qualitatively ascertain problems and solutions by using questionnaire surveys at the main dispersed campus universities, and by examining the status of Yamagata University, (3)propose an improvement plan based on the above points.　Of the 708 universities, 174 are under dispersed campuses, and half of all students attend dispersed campuses. Dispersed campuses are extremely common among Japanese universities. 70% of dispersed campus universities are private. By sector, there is a high ratio of national schools, and a low ratio of public ones.　Dispersed campus universities were grouped into 4 types by the area and form of campus expansion. National expansion is found in private universities only. The 29 national universities were planned so as to have 1 college in each prefecture, which is a large factor leading to national dispersed campuses. There are few public dispersed campuses, but they are increasing through mergers. Private universities show a strong tendency for active dispersion. Private universities are excessively concentrated in urban areas, with 60% of the total in the top 3 prefectures. Migration back to the inner cities is progressing. Problems and solutions were ascertained using questionnaire surveys and by examining the status of Yamagata University. The problems can be summarized in the following 4 points: (1) difficulty in structuring communication and cooperative systems due to distance/time constraints (2) inconsistency and delayed reaction due to complication of communication coordination and command systems (3) inefficiency/diseconomy due to personnel and supply costs (4) discouragement of joint research due to difficulty of student-teacher interaction. There are two countermeasures: (1) development of distance learning and teleconferencing systems, (2) promotion of region-based, region-partnered education and research to take advantage of the dispersed campus. One can say the sole advantage of dispersed campuses is the close relationship with the local area, and all other points are disadvantages.　The policy for improving the merits of dispersed campuses would take advantage of the fact that there are regional campuses, while overcoming the time/distance issues, and economic inefficiencies/diseconomy. Regional coordination and cooperation are the keywords. Specifically, there are 4 points to this: (1) fusing centralization and decentralization (2) utilization of ICT (3) competition and evaluation (4) restructuring of regional coordination organizations.