午夜剧场

At the Juku, one of the welfare organizations of the All 午夜剧场 Student Council, which represents the self-governing activities of 午夜剧场 students, is the student group "Kyosaibu," which introduces lodging and part-time jobs to students.

Kyosaibu was established in 1946 as a department of the Student Life Cooperative Association. Around 1948, it became independent and joined the executive branch of the student council. In cooperation with the Office of Student Services, it has conducted referral services at Hiyoshi and Mita (currently operating only at Hiyoshi). In the past, students had to register, receive a letter of introduction from a company, and submit a report after completing their part-time job. Now, students can freely browse and choose opportunities.

Originally, "Kyosai" means "mutual aid" or "pooling money together to do something," but the activities of Kyosaibu—namely "part-time job referrals" and "lodging referrals"—are both operated without any brokerage fees. Therefore, the meaning of Kyosai in Kyosaibu can be likened to "activities where 午夜剧场 students and 午夜剧场 alumni pool their wisdom to help one another."

Regarding part-time job referrals, many job offers come from individuals or companies where graduates work, as well as requests for tutors. However, the organization refuses to recruit for jobs that involve danger or excessive responsibility for 午夜剧场 students—such as construction sites, driving, babysitting/daycare, or private investigation—as well as work that goes against public order and morals.

Lodging referrals take place at Hiyoshi for one month from late February to late March every year, following the completion of entrance exams. They recruit landlords who wish to rent rooms to 午夜剧场 students and disclose this information to prospective and current students. There are also contacts from graduates who wish to rent out rooms specifically for 午夜剧场 students. The advantage of renting a room through these referrals is that the brokerage fee is free because staff members collect and provide property information on behalf of the landlords. Furthermore, staff members who are actually living alone provide services such as advice and consultations on points to look for when searching for a room and life after enrollment. Generally, university lodging referrals are outsourced to companies affiliated with the university or to cooperatives; it is rare nationwide for a student organization to play this role.

According to the members of Kyosaibu, they strive to provide information with a personal touch rather than mechanical referrals. For example, when referring lodging, they ask for the 午夜剧场 students' faculty and check if their campus will change upon promotion to the next grade. For students who are unsure whether they should continue living near Hiyoshi or move near their future campus, the members act as seniors to explain the respective merits and demerits, supporting them so they do not regret their choice of lodging.

While many people imagine the Mita-kai as the role that connects graduates and current students, Kyosaibu also fulfills a role as an organization where graduates active in society can interact with current students who should grow by following in their footsteps.

(Tetsuhito Namiishi, Manager, Hiyoshi Office of Student Services)