HYY's Freshmanguide 2014

DEAR FRESHMAN! 5 SERVICES OFFICE 6 STUDENT LIFE 8 HOW YOU WOULD LIKE THE STUDENT UNION TO BE? 10 THE STUDENT UNION HAS INFLUENCE 12 HYY IS ACTIVE 14

16 19 20 22 24

FRESHMAN CHANCELLOR 2014 HYY GROUP SERVICES FOR STUDENTS STUDENT'S SURVIVAL KIT MAKE YOUR UNIVERSITY EVEN BETTER BUILDING A COMMON UNION

26 28 30 32 34 36

HYY'S ORGANISATIONS ORGANISATION WORLD IN FIGURES ACTIVITIES FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OLDER STUDENT'S TIPS STUDENT CHARACTERISTICS

DEAR freshman!

Congratulations, you are now a part of Finland's largest, oldest and the best scientific community! In addition to all the joys of student life and the opportunity to deepen your knowledge, I encourage all freshmen to participate: challenge, develop and evolve! And don't worry, you will pass all the exams before graduation!

-STUDENT UNION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI (HYY) BOARD 2014

The Student Union Is Yours Student Union is the students' benefit and service organisation. The Student Union consists of students – therefore it could be anything that its members want it to be.

All students of the University of Helsinki are part of the Student Union of the University of Helsinki, and HYY is the oldest and largest student union with nearly 30,000 members. All undergraduate and graduate students of the university are automatically part of the Student Union. Doctoral students may join the Student Union if they wish to do so.

HYY provides its members with benefits and services, gives advise when needed, and gathers together approximately 250 student organisations. In addition, the Student Union supervises students' interests at university and beyond. You can read more about all this in Freshman Guide.

Students decide what the Student Union does and what it is. So join us – find yourself a suitable way to participate – and make the Student Union yours!

INFORMATION ABOUT THE STUDENT UNION AND ITS OPERATIONS · www.hyy. helsinki.fi · facebook: HYY.HUS · Twitter: @ylioppilaskunta · Instagram: hyy_hus · Member newsletter is submitted directly to your e-mail every other week.

Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

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HYYs Services Office

The Student Union's Services Office is located at the New Student House at Mannerheimintie 5 A, 2nd floor. The Services Office is open between 10am–5pm on Mondays and between 10am–3pm from Tuesdays to Fridays. Exceptions to the opening hours are mentioned on HYY's website.

In the Services Office, you can take care of issues related to the student card or the student union membership, among other things. In addition, the Services Office also serves organisations.

MEMBER BENEFITS Ylioppilaslehti student magazine HYY subscribes Ylioppilaslehti student magazine for all its members.

The magazine is published every two weeks during the academic terms.

The magazine, founded in 1913, covers the academic world and higher education policy, as well as social and cultural phenomena – and is an active debater itself. If you want to write, take photos or draw for Ylioppilaslehti, please contact the chief editor (paatoimittaja@ylioppilaslehti.fi).

collect the student card and the year tag. You can get the calendar from HYY's Services Office or the University's main building, for example. www.hyy.fi

Free legal assistance

daily student life.

Pykälä's Committee for Legal Assistance provides legal advice to HYY's members by mail, telephone, e-mail and in person. Most of the questions presented to the committee concern housing, employment, family and estate rights, studies and social security. The committee does not prepare documents but will advise you in drafting them and checks finished documents. The committee is on duty at Pykälä's office (Mannerheimintie 3 B, 5th floor) during the academic terms on Monday and Thursday, 5pm–7pm, tel. (09) 278 5005, e-mail oikeusapu@helsinki.fi.

Student calendar

Child care

HYY's members annually receive the student calendar. The calendar also includes useful information on the Student Union, student benefits and presentations of all organisations operating within HYY. The calendar is available from the same places where you can

Child care services offer temporary child care assistance for HYY's members. The minimum age of children is 6 months and the maximum duration of child care is three hours at a time.

Further information: lapsiparkki@hyy. fi and www.hyy.fi.

Freshman guide HYY offers you this information package on the Student Union, studies and

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FOR MEMBERS: · Student cards · Membership fee issues · Advisory services FOR ORGANISATIONS: · Meeting rooms · Equipment lending (details on lent items are available on the website)

Kekkonen-sauna Members can rent HYY's attic sauna for their own use. Further information on the renting of the sauna is available on HYY's website (For student > Member benefits and services)

Advice

HYY's specialists advise members in their own areas of responsibility. Specialists can help you further with issues related to the student's legal rights, housing, income or influencing the university.

Student card HYY's members can order the join student card of all Finnish students.

The card is the most convenient way to prove your student union membership. With the card, you receive discounts on the services of VR (national railway company), Matkahuolto (bus and coach services) and student restaurants, for example. You can get a year tag annually for the student card, which is available from HYY's Services Office or the University's Student Services. The year tag proves that you have paid the student union membership fee. Further information and ordering instructions are available on the web service: www.myfrank.fi

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HYY´s premises

Healthcare 11. FSHS - Finnish Student Health Service

1. The New Student House - Service office, premises of the organisation and the student nation

Public transport

2. The Old Student House - Kahvila Cafe Vanha

12. Kamppi - Regional buses

3. Domus Gaudium - premises of organisations and student nations

13. Railway station - Buses to Kumpula, Meilahti and Viikki leave from here

HYY´s student restaurants 4. UniCafe Kaivopiha 5. UniCafe Porthania 6. UniCafe Päärakennus 7. UniCafe Rotunda 8. UniCafe Topelia 9. UniCafe Soc & Kom ja Valtiotiede 10. UniCafe Olivia

Other 14. Stockmann Department Store 15. Sokos Department Store 16. Kaisa-library

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Katajanokka

it to be?

What do you want

Student life I WANT TO

I WANT TO

I WANT TO

participate

be active

have influence

ike HYY on Facebook: facebook. com/HYY.HUS. · Follow HYY's website: hyy.helsinki.fi. · Read the member newsletter in your email. · Follow Freshman Chancellor on Facebook: facebook.com/fuksikansleri

ind your own organisation from among 250 options with the help of Student Calendar, for example. The organisation world has everything from role-playing games to academic dinner parties and from taekwondo to a camera club. Organisations arrange numerous events every week. You can get information on the events on their mailing lists or websites. More information on organisations is available on pages 16.

YY's Representative Council elections are organised in the autumn of 2014. In the elections, you can change the Student Union's direction by voting or running as a candidate. The Representative Council is HYY's highest decisionmaking body and it c­onsists of HYY's members.

ome to the University's Opening Carnival on 1 Sept and get to know your place of study.

Participate in Freshman Adventure on 25 Sept, dive into the student life and get to know the organisations. Sign up on HYY's website at the beginning of September. oin other HYY's events in the anniversary week, Independence Day and throughout the year.

oin one of HYY's committees and make the Student Union your own. In committees, you can organise events, such as May Day and Development Cooperation Week, create campaigns or any activities for which you have passion. More information on committees is available on page 14. ontinue your old hobby or discover a new one. Unisport offers inexpensive sports services for students and numerous recreational organisations provide organised acivities and new friends.

· HYY ON FACEBOOK: FACEBOOK.COM/HYY.HUS · FRESHMAN CHANCELLOR: FACEBOOK.COM/FUKSIKANSLERI · HYY´S WEBSITE: HYY.HELSINKI.FI · HYY ON TWITTER: @YLIOPPILASKUNTA · HYY´S SERVICES OFFICE : MANNERHEIMINTIE 5A, 2ND FLOOR, 00100 HELSINKI · HYY ON INSTAGRAM: @HYY_HUS 8

f the Representative Council elections seem too big for you, try having influence in the committees. You can join HYY's committees throughout the year by contacting the chairperson of the committee. In these easily accessible groups, you can prepare the student union policies, among other things. In addition to committees, HYY also has other groups working on a certain topic, such as the Campus Farming Committee. tudents' voice is also heard at the University. Student representatives have influence in dozens of different administrative bodies. You can apply for the position of a student representative in administration (halloped) by following the call for applications on the mailing list of your subject organisation. More information on having influence at the University is available on page 34.

2 5 // 9 // 2 0 1 4

freshman adventure S T A R T S A T A T K A I V A F T E R P A R T Y P M A T A M A

1 6 O P I A T R I L

P M H A 2 1 L O

MORE INFORMATION, GAME RULES AND TEAM REGISTRATION UNTIL 15 SEPT AT HYY’S WEBSITE HYY.HELSINKI.FI/EN/NODE/10673

Decide!

How you would like THE STUDENT UNION

to be?

cooperation all the way to project management.

HYY also engages in significant business operations, the direction of which is decided by the students. HYY Group manages business operations, more information on the Group is available later in this Freshman Guide.

The Student Union consists of its members, the students. Every member has the right to influence what the Student Union does. The Representative Council of 60 members has the highest power in the Student Union, which is equivalent to a municipal council or the Parliament.

The Representative Council makes the most significant financial decisions and defines the future and development of the Student Union. Like the state and municipalities, HYY appoints the Board to manage daily affairs.

THE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS – THE MOST IMPORTANT MEANS TO EXERCISE POWER HYY's Representative Council is elected every two years through the Representative Council elections. The Representative Council elections will be organised again this autumn. If you want to have effect on what the student union does, how it discusses, comments and uses its funds, run as a candidate or at least remember to vote.

The Representative Council has plenty of power and, therefore, the Representative Council elections should not be overlooked. The Representative Council makes decisions concerning all student union members, starting from the amount of the student union membership fee, use of funds and what kind of activities the student union organises. In these elections, even small numbers of votes are significant, and you can learn quickly to act in the Representative Council. Thus, also freshmen can very well run as candidates.

In the Representative Council elections, candidates are set at least by various political groups, subject organisations and student nations. Each student union member is entitled to vote and run as a candidate in the Representative Council elections. If none of the existing coalitions pleases you, you can set up an electoral alliance yourself.

HYY'S ADMINISTRATION –THIS IS HOW THE STUDENT UNION OPERATES The Representative Council elected through the elections has the highest decision-making power in the Student Union. The Representative Council convenes approximately four times per academic term. The student union operations are led by the Board which is appointed by the Representative Council for one year at a time. The Board consists of 7–13 members and it has parliamentary accountability for the Representative Council. In addition, the Board has founded other organs to manage various affairs. The Financial Committee prepares the internal financial affairs of the Student Union and the committees manage their own matters. The Committee for Development Cooperation, for example, is mainly in charge of the operations related to development

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The Student Union HAS INFLUENCE The Student Union is the students' channel for influence. Influencing can mean going to the barricades but it may also include, for example, discussion with the university staff about the development of teaching, creating ideas for better cycle paths with city planners or organising an item exchange table in the lobby of the student house.

Council and committees). In addition, the Board frequently meets both the University's representatives and the decisionmakers of the city and the state and discusses issues that are important for students. The Board also works closely with other student organisations, particularly with other student unions and the National Union of University Students in Finland.

HYY Board works at HYY's Central Office at the New Student House daily and organises a wide range of events and campaigns together with the Student Union's employees and volunteer students (such as the members of the Representative

In practice, the Board is the face and the voice of the Student Union. It is advisable to contact the board members and tell them which matters need to be improved and which issues should be tackled next.

…at the University

…in the city

HYY's Board and employees meet with the University's employees frequently and are involved in the University's various administrative bodies and working groups, where they represent a student perspective. The Student Union discusses major policies with the University's top management and practical arrangements on the faculty level. In recent years, for example, HYY has promoted the exam aquarium at the University, which is a space where students can take an exam at any time. More information about work done at the University is available on page 34.

In urban affairs, the Student Union cooperates not only with the city, but also with other student unions in the metropolitan area. Together with Aalto University Student Union, the Student Union has aimed at promoting better cycling and public transport connections between the university campuses, for example, and has demanded more of affordable student housing in the metropolitan area.

…in the world HYY is also engaged in plenty of activities that are not limited only to the University of Helsinki and its students. On the national level, HYY cooperates with the National Union of University Students in

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Finland SYL, as well as with other student unions and student organisations. HYY also drafts statements on matters concerning students and participates in various campaigns. In recent years, major influencing projects on the national level have included Opintotuki indeksiin (”Index the student financial aid”) campaign during the parliamentary elections in 2011 and Näpit irti opintotuesta! (”Get your hands off student financial aid!”) major demonstration in 2013. HYY also has two development cooperation projects. The Student Union's Development Cooperation Committee is responsible for these projects. You can read more about development cooperation in the presentation of the committees on page 14.

GET YOUR HANDS OFF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID! IN THE SPRING OF 2013, HYY PARTICIPATED IN THE ORGANISING OF THE JOINT STUDENT FINANCIAL AID CAMPAIGN OF ALL STUDENTS. THE CAMPAIGN CULMINATED IN A MASS DEMONSTRATION ON 21 MARCH 2013. IN ADDITION TO THE BOARD AND EMPLOYEES, A LARGE NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND ACTIVE MEMBERS OF VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS PARTICIPATED IN THE CAMPAIGN.

TAKING OVER THE CITY! IN THE YEAR OF 2012, HYY WANTED TO MAKE THE STUDENTS' VOICE HEARD IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. EARLY IN THE YEAR, WE COLLECTED STUDENTS' IDEAS ON HOW TO IMPROVE HELSINKI.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP SPACE FOR STUDENTS. HYY HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF HELSINKI THINK COMPANY ENTREPRENEURSHIP SPACE, WHICH SUPPORTS STUDENTS' ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI AND THE CITY. THE BOARD MEMBERS AND STUDENTS WORKING IN THE SPACE POSED IN THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SPACE.

Join us through committ ees!

HYY is active You can easily participate in the student union activities by joining one or several committees or various committees that are set up as needed. In this way, you get to influence what and how things are done in HYY, whether it is defending a student's better income or organising new incredible cultural events. The committees allow you to explore HYY from the front row and execute your wildest ideas with like-minded friends!

THIS IS HOW TO GET INVOLVED: · Go to the address hyy.fi/committees · Find an interesting committee from the list · Contact the chairperson of the committee and/or

· Join the committee's mailing list, when you will find out at least the next meeting date

· Participate in the next meeting with your fellow students or tutor, for example!

Committee for Development Cooperation

Committee for Bilingual Affairs

Let's make the world a better place for all!

HYY engages in active development cooperation work through various projects around the world and you can have influence on these projects in the Committee for Development Cooperation. The Committee organises plenty of development cooperation related events throughout the year, the major event is the Development Cooperation Week in the autumn term.

Let's speak in tongues!

It is important for HYY to promote the Swedish activities and the bilingual atmosphere in the academic community. The Committee for Bilingual Affairs promotes bilingualism in many ways by organising bilingual sitsit and game nights, as well as rewarding the bilingual deed of the year.

Committee for Finno-Ugric Cooperation Let's take care of our small relatives!

The Student Union supports the efforts of our language relatives to foster their language and culture through various projects. The Committee for Finno-Ugric Cooperation engages in this traditional work by managing projects and organising events related to the theme.

Committee for Environmental­ Affairs Let's take care of our environment!

Whether it is a matter of individual consumption choices, public transport or the Climate Act, HYY wants to contribute to an ecologically sustainable society. The Committee for Environmental Affairs organises campaigns, theme days and seminars, as well as participates in the Car-Free Day, for example.

Committee for Tutor Affairs Let's give the new students a warm welcome!

The Student Union wants to make sure that you and other new students get to know the academic world as well as possible. The Committee for Tutor Affairs participates in the reception of new students. The Committee trains tutors, plans the reception of freshmen and works to make tutoring even better.

Campus Farming Committee Grow your own vegetables!

You can grow your own vegetables already on two campuses, the City Centre Campus and Viikki. There are rows of growing sacks on the university yards, which HYY's Campus Farming Committee has provided for the delight of green thumbs.

Committee for Academic Affairs Have influence at University!

HYY puts much effort in making the University a better place to study. This quiet advocacy work

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is done by the Committee for Academic Affairs together with student representatives in administration. Read more about having influence at University on page 34.

Committee for Societal Affairs Let's pursue a better society!

The Committee for Societal Affais works to promote a more student-friendly city and more effective society. Influencing is action: the Committee drafts comments, organises campaigns and participates in ­demonstrations.

Committee for Organisational Affairs Let's support student communities!

In student organisations, you learn skills for the working life, have fun and make friends. HYY supports its organisations in the form of facilities and various grants. The Committee for Organisational Affairs organises training sessions, allocates facility reservations and advertises organisational activities on the street sitsit, for example. Read more about organisations on page 14.

Committee for Cultural Affairs More event-filled student life!

You can organise HYY's events and implement completely new ideas by joining the Committee for Cultural Affairs. More information on HYY's events is available on page 20.

HYY´s

ORGANISATIONS There is life outside the lectur e hall!

pproximately 250 different student organisations operate in HYY. Organisations have developed around a certain topic that connects the members, such as a subject, faculty, region, ideology, hobby or sports. Various clubs and committees often operate within the organisations. Organisations offer their members fun activities and the opportunity to spend time together: regular or irregular meetings, parties, excursions, discussions or anything that the members want to organise for themselves.

It is worth joining organisational activities, as the best memories of your study years are not likely to be studying in the library alone or sitting in mass lectures. In organisational activities, you can make new friends and learn skills that cannot be learned in lectures – everything ranging from the organising of major parties to the layout of magazines and from teamwork and negotiating skills to project management. And most importantly, organisational activities are fun!

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SOCIETAL AND SPIRITUAL ORGANISATIONS

HYY'S ORGANISATIONS IN BRIEF

Non-profit organisations throughout the political map, societal activities ranging from nature conservation to human rights, as well as various spiritual societies and clubs.

SUBJECT AND FACULTY ORGANISATIONS -Organised around subjects.

Largest: Kannunvalajat (2,399 members) Smallest: UH's polymer and wood chemists (14

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS International subject organisations, organisations engaging in student exchange and organisations intended for international students

members)

STUDENT NATIONS

CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS

-Organised around geographic regions.

Choirs, orchestras and theatres of all levels, organisations focusing on engaging in cultural activities together.

The oldest Swedish student nation: Nylands Nation (founded in 1643)

The youngest Finnish student nation: Kymenlaakson osakunta (founded in 1933)

SPORTS ORGANISATIONS

RECREATIONAL ORGANISATIONS »

Martial arts, team sports, individual sports – everything related to exercising and sports.

The vast majority of HYY's organisations are so-called recreational organisations that are focused around hobbies or activities. A detailed list of HYY's recreational organisations is available on HYY's website.

All academic hobbies ranging from food and drink clubs to role playing games, video games and debates.

OTHER RECREATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

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· Ask your tutors and friends to tell you which organisations have nice activities.

· See the the list of HYY's organisations with contact details in the Student

HOW TO JOIN ORGANISATIONAL ACTIVITIES?

Calendar. In the Opening Carnival on 1 Sept, organisations present their activities and tell about events aimed at new members, introductory courses and how to become a member of the organisation.

·

Do not hesitate to participate in the event of an organisation that you find interesting and particularly the events aimed at new members. If you feel too shy to go alone, ask your friend to come along or ask if your tutor could organise an excursion for your freshman group to an event of the organisation that interests you!

·

Be active and offer to help. Many organisational events always need more people to help with arrangements. Nothing is so valuable to an organisation than an enthusiastic and helpful freshman.

· Except maybe two or several freshmen: do things with other freshmen.

A group of freshmen who act together often becomes one of the closest and long-lasting group of friends during the studies.

O R G A N I S A T I O N

W O R L D

in figures NUMBER OF STUDENT UNION MEMBERS:

ORGANISATION MEMBERS:

ORGANISATIONAL FACILITIES PROVIDED BY HYY:

28 200

40 200

2551,5 m2

UTILISATION RATE OF MEETING FACILITIES IN 2012:

NUMBER OF ORGANISATIONAL MAGAZINES PUBLISHED WITH HYY´S SUPPORT IN 2013:

ORGANISATIONAL EVENTS CATEGORISED BY THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IN 2012 6249

5-24 25-99

262

53%

( CORRESPONDS TO 9,78 TENNIS FIELDS )

NUMEROA ISSUES

1623

25-99 331 PARTICIPANTS

EVENTS

SHARE OF ACTIVE ORGANISATION MEMBERS CATEGORISED BY THE YEAR OF STUDIES 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% YEAR

1

2

3 4 5

IN THE STUDENT UNION'S USE

NUMBER OF EVENTS ARRANGED BY ORGANISATIONS TOTAL OF ORGANISATIONAL FACILITIES THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE NUMBER OF STAIRS FROM THE FRONT DOOR TO ORGANISATIONAL FACILITIES ORGANISATION FACILITIES PER ORGANISATION MEMBER IN 2012

"Students who celebrated at the student house used to bring a bottle of brandy before the party to the caretaker of the building Yrjö Vaisto who also lived in the building."

IN OTHER USE

( PARTIES, SEATED MEALS, MEETINGS, ETC. )

( CORRESPONDS TO 4,95 TENNIS FIELDS )

»

DOMUS GAUDIUM

NEW STUDENT HOUSE CONSTRUCTION YEAR

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CONSTRUCTION YEAR

IN THE STUDENT UNION'S USE

NUMBER OF EVENTS ARRANGED BY ORGANISATIONS TOTAL OF ORGANISATIONAL FACILITIES THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE NUMBER OF STAIRS FROM THE FRONT DOOR TO ORGANISATIONAL FACILITIES ORGANISATION FACILITIES PER ORGANISATION MEMBER IN 2012

"The cycling club operates in the basement garage of the building."

IN OTHER USE

( PARTIES, SEATED MEALS, MEETINGS, ETC. )

( CORRESPONDS TO 2,81 TENNIS FIELDS )

Activities for UNIVERSITY STUDENTS Opening carnival takes over the streets on 1 Sept What will the University and the Student Union look like in the coming academic year? HYY and the University will join forces and organise a carnival together for everyone on the City Centre Campus.

Get involved: explore a variety of organisations, participate in diverse activities and enjoy fun events!

Get to know your student union in freshman adventure The Freshman Adventure is a major event for all new students of the University of Helsinki across subject or faculty boundaries. The adventure, which is organised on Thursday, 25 Sept, will tour student organisations, clubs and communities around Helsinki. An amazing opportunity to explore everything that happens in the student community in one evening!

Experience the anniversary week and the anniversary party HYY's birthday is celebrated on 26 Nov and the anniversary week is built around that date. During the week, the Student Union offers its members all sorts of events, discounts and things to do. The anniversary week offers free museum visits, film screenings for HYY's members and theatre performances where students can participate at a very inexpensive price. In addition, students have received discounts in restaurants, for ex-

Student life is much more than just sitting in lectures and working on your essays or assignments. So use your time wisely and join festivities! Throughout the year, HYY organises a variety of more or less well-established events and parties.

ample.The event-filled week culminates in the 146th anniversary of the Student Union organised in the form of an academic seated meal at the Old Student House.

Torchlight procession on the independence University students with their torches celebrate the Independence Day by marching from Hietaniemi to the Senate Square. Thousands of students come to this great gathering every year, why don't you join as well?

Grab your sled and go to Ullanlinnanmäki on 4 March Now you can sled to your heart's content! At Shrovetide, thousands of students get their sleds out and head to Shrovetide celebrations at Ullanlinnanmäki. Pour warm drink in a thermos flask, wear your overalls and wool socks, and if you are feeling creative, you can participate in the sledding competition. In the evening, our sister student union AYY organises the Gravitation party.

May Day – use your student cap as a bubbly glass at least once May Day is the highlight of the year for those with the student cap. It is Christmas, birthday and other parties in one package! The wide range of organisations guarantee a suitable party for everyone.

Also remember to come and see the capping of Manta, Havis Aman-

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da Statue, on May Day Eve. In the morning of May Day, you should drag yourself to Ullanlinnanmäki for a picnic early in the morning: May Day reception is organised at 9am. The Swedish-speaking students traditionally gather in Kaisaniemi Park. On your freshman May Day, you can only live once – so make the most of it!

Flower day on 13 May The last big party of the spring, Flower Day, is held on 13 May. Traditionally, the day has been celebrated in Kumtähti Field, where sitsi contest, among other things, was organised in 2014.

And that is not all In addition to annual major parties and all the festivities, HYY also organises other nice activities that light up the students' everyday life.

Follow the activities on HYY's Facebook and website! And do not forget the events of various organisations.

Come along!

What could be more fun than to participate in parties and festivities?! Well, arranging them by yourself, of course!

So get involved in the activities of your Student Union and join the Committee for Cultural Affairs. Start by subscribing to the e-mail list (hyy-kulttuuri) and joining HYY kulttuuri fb group. From there, you will get information on arrangements and more information about how to get involved.

OPE THE

NING

ACADE

DAY OF

MIC YEAR

OPENING OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR 12 P.M. OPENING CARNEVAL 2 P.M. TO 6 P.M. In the Great Hall of the Main Building (Aleksanterinkatu 5). The programme includes speeches by the Rector, Chair of the Board of the Student Union and representative of the University staff, and music. An ecumenical service in the Cathedral or a non-denominational ceremony in the Language Center follows.

At the City Centre Campus. The carnival includes music, dance, performances, beverages and snacks, presentations of different organisations, etc- Start your academic year in a carnival atmosphere.

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freshman!

Just for you,

Older student's tips FOR STUDENT LIFE · I cannot recommend parties at Alina but you

fun stuff. Get involved and go crazy!

have to experience them. Several times.

· Have you thought about entrepreneurship?

· Dancing on the bar of ESO.

No? Think again at Helsinki Think Company!

Speakers often include Finnish and international top names and you never know which of the future's top-notch companies will suck you in…

· You can get pizza at EE Building at Unicafe Vii-

kuna in Viikki on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. A good way to spend a collective hangover with your fellow students! (And UniCafe also serves breakfast!)

· Bamboo needles enable quiet knitting in a lecture and also help you to stay awake!

· Spexes! Experience them all!

· Do not only read. Write. Do not only write. Also discuss.

· The best way to understand the entertainment value of HYY's Representative Council is to run as a candidate in the elections. It does not burden you too much and it is addictive. There's eroticism in politics!

· Go anywhere where you are invited and sometimes go even uninvited.

· Get to know professors and the department staff.

· Toga parties of the med school. Stay away from the punch and do not leave anything in the cloakroom that you want to have back someday.

· Exercise; e.g. by running once or twice a week you need much less sleep and have more energy.

Get your UniSport card for the entire year at once!

· Anniversary celebrations and herring breakfast in the following morning. Healthy? No. Funny? Yes.

· Eat seasonal food

· Are you a vegetarian? Have you thought about

· Things you should experience: Suomenlinna,

becoming one? Each UniCafe provides a studentpriced vegetarian lunch every day, also vegan options. Tasty vegetarian food at student rates is also provided by Kasvisbaari (Kaikukatu 4B) and Kipsari (Hämeentie 135 E).

stairs of the Parliament House or Malminkartanonhuippu peak at sunrise in mid-summer.

· Opening Carnival, torchlight procession of the Independence Day and May Day are memorable student celebrations.

· Are yee from the country? So am ah!

· Try out various subjects. You can always quit

A student nation offers another home where you don't forget your own dialect. Each student nation has their own kind of activities and

a course, and at least you know which subject is not for you.

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Student

CHARACTERISTICS ! their overalls recognised from e ar ts en d u St

veralls are students' uniform. They protect the party-goers' bums from muddy land and wind on May Day. The colouring of the overalls and the symbol on the back tell about the owner's place of study. Different badges from various events, for example, are sewn on the overalls. Typically, almost all of the student organisations have their own badges which can be exchanged with students in other fields. It is also common to exchange a leg or sleeve of the overalls with your dating partner or friend.

HOW TO ATTACH AN OVERALL BADGE Here are the top 5 tips of Tekstiilarit (subject organisation of textile teacher and craft science students) for sewing overall badges:

1. For sewing badges, you need a needle, sewing thread and a lot of patience. You should sew badges as soon as you get them, don't leave it for May Day Eve.

2. A thimble is an excellent tool for sewing hard badges. In case of emergency, any hard surface will do better than using your index finger!

3. Sewing badges can also be done with

the sewing machine, but be careful not to sew the sleeve or the leg closed!

4. If you don't have enough patience to

sew, you can try the stapler, safety pins, hot glue or fabric glue. Do not glue badges while wearing the overalls, as your jeans under the overalls may get glued as well. You can also try iron-on doublesided adhesive fabric gauze or tape, but be sure to cover the badge with a baking sheet so that glue or sponsor texts do not melt on the iron.

5. At first, you can design fine collections

of badges. However, in the end, it is often a rule of thumb that a badge is sewn onto the stain or tear which took place in that particular event.

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STUDENT CAP IS WORN AT LEAST ON MAY DAY The student cap has been the symbol of university students already since the 19th century. It is common to wear the student cap in your own upper secondary graduation party, on May Day and various academic ceremonies. Traditionally, the cap is not used during the winter, except for special occasions. On the eve of May Day, you can press the cap on your head at 6pm, after which you can wear the cap throughout the summer if you want to – as it was done years and years ago!

With few exceptions, all Finnish student caps have a golden lyre of the Student Union of the University of Helsinki. This is due to the fact that the University of Helsinki was the only university in Finland for a long time. Some student unions may replace it with their own lyre. The lining of the cap is usually blue and white, but the colour of the Finnish-Swedish caps is reddish yellow or blue-yellow-white. You can also change the lining of the cap according to the colours of your own region.

There are various rules on how to wear ribbons. When men wear student nation or organisation ribbons, they traditionally run from the right shoulder to the left hip. With women, the ribbon runs from the left shoulder to the right hip or it is attached as a rosette on the left side of the dress.

IN HELSINKI, THE TRADITION IS TO PRESS THE CAP ON YOUR HEAD AT THE MOMENT WHEN HAVIS AMANDA STATUES GETS HER CAP AT THE MARKET SQUARE. THE CAPPING IS DONE BY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, LAST YEAR IT WAS THE TURN OF HYY BOARD.

RIBBONS TELL ABOUT THE ORGANISATIONS WHERE YOU ACT In the academic world, various ribbons show a membership in organisations or groups. Organisations and communities have various customs on who is entitled to wear their ribbon. A ribbon and related badges can also serve as a tribute on various merits, such as being active in a community.

A ribbon should not touch the bare skin. Sometimes a person may have several ribbons.

In this case, it is classy to wear only up to three ribbons at the same time.

Further information on academic symbols and traditions is available on HYY's organisation wiki: hyy.helsinki.fi/wiki

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Freshman Chancellor's duty is to introduce new students to the student union and student organisations and help freshmen at the beginning of their student life. Freshman Chancellor participates in the Student Union's autumn events, such as the Opening Carnival and Freshman Adventure. You can also find Freshman Chancellor on Facebook: www.facebook.com/fuksikansleri

AS THE FRESHMAN CHANCELLOR, JUUSO NIEMINEN, STUDENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ORGANISATION ACTIVIST, WANTS TO SHOW FRESHMEN ALL THE GREAT AND FUN THINGS AT THE UNIVERSITY AND THE STUDENT UNION. In my position as Freshman Chancellor, I will definitely visit different events and be available on social media. I would like to do my own share to help new students to find their place. The University has an incredible number of different types of organisations, from which you can pick your own. It is not important to make everyone a future organisation activist but to help freshmen to find their own safe group at the University, which will help you in the middle of busy studies. You can meet me at the Opening Carnival and other events – I hope that as many freshmen as possible will come and chat with me!

At the beginning of your freshman year, you will get tips from everyone and you are overflowed with information. Therefore, it is pointless to try to learn everything at once. You should pay attention to the information that you receive during the orientation studies, but also take the pleasure out of the fact that you do not have to know everything at this point. Reserve time for getting to know new people at the beginning of your studies – try out student nation activities, a sci-fi club or a mathematical esoteric organisation or join your subject organisation. At University, studies can be hard and frustrating, but this is the time when all the worries are still ahead of you.

The best aspect of my own freshman year was the fact that I could

safely try out things. Many things happened for the first time and that was the exciting part: returning my first mathematic exercises, the first after party at Hietaniemi beach, the first herring breakfast, and so on. The academic world seemed unfamiliar and strange, but fortunately I was surrounded by plenty of helpful friends.

"The best aspect of my own freshman year was the fact that I could safely try out things."

The Department of Mathematics, where I study, welcomed new students with open arms.

From the very beginning, I felt that this is the subject for me. I remember the lectures well, but more vividly I remember the hundred new faces and at least as many fun events and celebrations. Although, it was exciting to see how a lecturer filled the blackboard with incomprehensible Hebrew, just like in the Donald Ducks of my childhood. ”Oh damn, I study at the University” feeling has now faded, but in my first year I made the most of it.

I tried out many things with the method ”I have no idea what I'm doing but I don't have anything to lose”. My minor studies in Chemistry lasted for one course – I did not pass the second (general) course even at the fifth attempt. I had never been in contact with the academic world

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before and therefore all the festivities and customs seemed very exciting. Fortunately, learning through trial and error has proven to be successful…

The best thing for me has been my subject organisation and student nation activities. It is somewhat scary but I have found out that I enjoy financial management and I have started to realise how fun event organising can be, whether we organise a prestigious anniversary or an after party after another party or alternative mathematic exercises in the ferry to Suomenlinna island.

In terms of actual studies, I am still searching for my place. It is still out in the open what I will study this autumn but I am planning to continue my studies in psychology. After all, what could be a more natural minor subject alongside the cold mathematics. I will also begin studies in special education.

However, mathematics is still my thing and I would not leave my beloved major subject for anything!

One of the best aspects of studying is that the academic world offers you many new homes. When the walls begin to close in around you, you can find happy company and help for all the problems in life from the student room of mathematics students, student nation facilities and in the night time at Klusteri. ”Hanging out at University” is my standard response when asked about my hobbies, and it is certainly true.

The Students' Own Bu siness!

HYY Group

HYY's operations are funded by membership fees paid by students and profits from the Student Union's business operations. HYY Ravintolat, HYY Kiinteistöt, Gaudeamus Helsinki University Press, Hostel Domus Academica and securities investments operate under the parent company HYY Group. As a member of HYY, you are one of the owners of these companies. international tourists. www.hostelacademica.fi

HYY Ravintolat serves you in more than thirty locations in the metropolitan area. You can read more about UniCafe student restaurants later in this publication. www.hyyravintolat.fi

Gaudeamus, non-fiction and scientific publisher, jointly owned by HYY and the University of Helsinki, publishes non-fiction and scientific literature. www.gaudeamus.fi

HYY Kiinteistöt offers modern and functional business premises for rent in the city centre of Helsinki and Etu-Töölö. Commercial and office buildings in the best locations of Helsinki have been the foundation of HYY's business operations since the very beginning. www.kaivopiha.fi

The above-mentioned companies form HYY Group, which engages in HYY's responsible investment operations. HYY Group wishes to set an example of high-quality and profitable business conducted in a socially, culturally, economically and environmentally responsible way. You can read more about practical activities, values and current affairs within HYY Group at yhtyma.hyy.fi.

Hostel Domus Academica is Finland's largest hostel. The summer hostel, investing greatly in being environmentally friendly, opens its 326 rooms in the summertime for domestic and

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OF BUSINESS When business operations expanded from the 1970s onwards, the Student Union made a decision that business professionals would be recruited to lead business operations. Business professionals would engage in profitable business operations on behalf of students, whereas students would define the major policies for business operations, which takes place in the corporation boards, the Student Union Board and the Representative Council. Students are the majority in the boards of the largest companies. In addition, companies also include specialist members who have expertise in their field.

HYY Ravintolat presents: local food – global atmosphere Dear new student – you are warmly welcome to be the customer of your very own restaurant. HYY Ravintolat Oy is part of HYY Group, the responsible business owned by the Student Union of the University of Helsinki.

The true stars in the HYY Ravintolat kitchens are our excellent employees as well as local food products – including organic and Fair Trade items. At HYY Ravintolat you will be served meals prepared with high-quality, safe and ethically produced raw materials.

Meal subsidy card by Kela is a great deal: you’ll get a whole meal at UniCafe for 2.30–4.40 €. We hope to see you often at UniCafe!

Lunch menus and map search: hyyravintolat.fi

Services

FOR STUDENTS Food and coffee in students' own UniCafes

Exercise in between lectures

As a student, you can easily continue your old sport or start a new one. Exercising opportunities at the University of Helsinki and in the capital region are almost endless.

The University of Helsinki has its own UniSport which provides inexpensive sports services on all four campuses and also in Otaniemi and Töölö. Guided training is organised in numerous sports varying from bodypump to carefree shoulders and from gym training to badminton. Most of the selection of UniSport is also suitable for students who have not exercised previously. You can get the most versatile and inexpensive sports package by paying the sports fee of 12 months. You can naturally buy a shorter period, too. UniSport also organises leagues. Floorball leagues, for example, are organised both for women and men. A floorball game organised by a subject organisation, for example, is an excellent opportunity to spend relaxing time together. Numerous sports clubs also operate at the University.

Students can have inexpensive lunch in UniCafes owned by the Student Union and other student restaurants. UniCafes differ from other student restaurants because they are owned by HYY, which means the students themselves. Students can have effect on the operations of the restaurants by providing feedback or by participating in the activities of the restaurant committees operating on the campuses.

You can eat at any UniCafe restaurant and you receive the same discount with your Student Card or by presenting other certificate on your studies. In addition to a portion, all meals include a drink (milk, sour milk, soy drink, juice or water), bread and spreads, salad, as well as potato, rice or pasta as a side dish. In addition, desserts are always on offer. Almost all UniCafes provide both self-baked cafeteria products and actual student meals. One UniCafe on all campuses (except Meilahti) also serves inexpensive breakfast.

UniCafe caters for the most common special diets and there are always good vegetarian options, for example. All restaurants also have a vegan option (excluding Rotunda, Korona and Exactum). Product descriptions and the energy content of main meals are available in the restaurants.

UniCafe also offers Fair Trade products from which farmers receive decent and fair compensation. In this way, you can support the education of the young on the other side of the globe, for example. Another fair choices are organic products and development meals which support HYY's development cooperation project.

Eating in UniCafes is popular and therefore many restaurants have queues between the lectures, between 11.45am–12.15pm and 1.45pm–2.15pm. If possible, have your lunch break at a different time.

However, the restaurants have many counters and usually the queues move quickly.

In Kaivopiha UniCafe, you can also have a studentpriced lunch on saturdays!

UniCafe restaurants, menus and feedback: www.unicafe.fi

www.unisport.fi

Exercise anywhere National sports activities are coordinated by Finnish Student Sports Federation (OLL) which administers www.opis¬kelijaliikunta.fi website, among other things. The website provides information on benefits, events, competitions, and sports and health in general.

The website has information about a student discount in major sports events. Also remember that most of the private exercise facilities grant some kind of a discount, so it is always worth showing your student card. www.opiskelijaliikunta.fi/english

The sports facilities of the city You often receive a student discount with your student card in the sports facilities of the city. In the swimming halls and outdoor swimming pools, for example, you can swim for half the price.

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Gym, club activities, IntervalStep, Meilahti, Afro, courses, BODYCOMBAT®, Personal Training, wall climbing, Training Card, Kumpula, fitnesstesting, massage, , Otaniemi, yoga, BODYPUMP®, volleyball, pilates, floorball, City Centre Campus, Salsa, Kettlebell training, indoor cycling, Body, Fitball, Töölö, badminton, tennis, fitness boxing, basketball, Viikki, Street Dance, Carefree Shoulders, series, tournaments and much more!

www.uNISpORT.fI

MORE THAN EXERCISE

Rauhallinen. Tilava. Lukusali.

Eduskuntatieto. Oikeudellinen tieto. Yhteiskuntatieto.

Asiantuntemus. Ammattitaitoinen palvelu.

Kaikki tämä odottaa sinua Eduskunnan kirjastossa.

Aurorankatu 6.

Helsingin yliopiston Avoin yliopisto - Melkein sata oppiainetta - Opinnot voi liittää tutkintoon - Kesäopinnot maksuttomia perustutkinto-opiskelijoille - Sivuainekokonaisuuksia - Paljon yleis- ja kieliopintoja - Lähiopetus iltaisin ja viikonloppuisin - Paljon verkko-opintoja Helsingin yliopisto Avoin yliopisto

www.helsinki.fi/avoin

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WHERE TO FIND HOUSING, HOW TO GET MONEY, WHERE TO SEE A DOCTOR AND HOW TO GET THERE? AND WHERE CAN I GET HELP IF I NEED IT? HERE IS A PACKAGE OF BASIC INFORMATION ON HOW TO SURVIVE.

Student's

SURVIVAL KIT

Housing

Foundation for Student Housing in the Helsinki Region Hoas, www.hoas.fi Many student nations, religious communities and student organisations in different fields also provide housing for students. Students can also apply for the city's rental housing.

Subsistence

A student's primary source of income is student financial aid, which consists of the study grant, the housing supplement and the study loan

guaranteed by the government. You can be granted the student financial aid if your studies progress and you have the need for financial aid, which means that you do not earn more than your annual income limit. Kela's electronic services are the most convenient way to apply for student financial aid and make a notification of changes. On Kela's website, you will find plenty of information on subsistence and student financial aid, as well as a calculator to calculate how your student financial aid affects the income limits. www.kela.fi

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Health

Finnish Student Health Service FSHS is responsible for students' health care. In addition to general practicioners and specialists, FSHS provides the services of public health nurses, physiotherapists, as well as laboratory and x-ray services. FSHS is only open during the day on weekdays and therefore you have to use municipal services in the evenings and weekends. Most of FSHS services are free for students. www.yths.fi

Public transport

Students registered in Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Kauniainen, Kerava, Kirkkonummi or Sipoo receive a 50 per cent discount both on internal tickets and regional tickets purchased with the travel card.

The student status of the travel card must be updated annually. As a student, you also get a discount on the long-distance trains of VR and the buses of Matkahuolto. In order to get the student discount, you must be able to prove that you are a student.

The most convenient way to do this is to get the student card with the year tag. If you do not want to get Lyyra student card, you can purchase VR's own student card for VR trains. If you have not received your Lyyra student card yet, please visit the University's student counselling first and fill in a form, after which an officer proves that you are a university student.

Support and help

Studying or student life can sometimes feel stressful. However, students are offered a number of support services tailored for their life situation that you should take advantage of.

STUDY PSYCHOLOGISTS Study psychologists provide guidance to undergraduate and graduate students of the University of Helsinki who need support with issues concerning study skills, motivation, time management, coping or writing the thesis. Study psychologists offer both group and individual counselling.

Further information: Flamma or opintopsykologi@helsinki.fi.

UNIVERSITY CHAPLAINS Two university chaplains work for the students and staff of the University of Helsinki. You can have confidential discussions with the chaplains and you can make an appointment by e-mail, telephone or by coming to talk during

their consultation hours. They can be invited to participate in various events related to the well-being of students or a workplace. Conversation with the university chaplains does not require any kind of religious belief, and you can talk about any issues that you want. University chaplains are available during the semester.

Leena Huovinen (City Centre), tel. 050 3019613, (09) 191 22195 leena.huovinen@evl.fi Laura Mäntylä (Kumpula and Viikki), tel. 050 591 9874, laura.mantyla@evl.fi

NYYTI, STUDENTS' SUPPORT CENTRE Nyyti promotes the mental wellbeing of students, offers group activities and courses in the metropolitan area and organises theme evenings and hang out nights.

Nyyti services for all university students include hang out nights, online groups and the website. www.nyyti.fi

HARASSMENT CONTACT PERSONS You do not have to tolerate inappropriate­behaviour. If you feel that you are an object of bullying, discrimination or sexual harassment, you may contact the Student Union's harassment contact person or the University's Equality Adviser. Contacts with harassment contact persons are confidential and the contact persons do not proceed with the case without the request or consent of the person in question.

HYY's harassment contact persons: hairintayhdyshenkilo@hyy.fi University's Equality Adviser: (09) 1912 4292, tasa-arvovastaava@helsinki.fi

STUDENTS' LEGAL PROTECTION Students have their rights. In order to secure students' legal protection, the University of Helsinki has enacted a

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regulation concerning the grading of studies and examinations. The regulation determines, among other things, the language of examinations, required examination literature, examination arrangements, disturbance and fraud in examinations, the grading of completed studies and the publication of results, the rectification procedure of grading, the legal protection committee and the registration of completed credits. There are more precise instructions concerning plagiarism. Students' legal protection is also enacted in the University's own regulation.

Do not delay any legal right issues even for a day as the enacted time limits expire quickly. Please read the previously mentioned regulation and if there is something that you do not understand, you can ask for advice over the phone.

Further information on students' legal protection: www.helsinki.fi/ yliopisto/hakemisto > Johtosäännöt HYY's specialists in academic affairs Study counsellors in faculties and the head of academic affairs/student affairs secretaries

HYY'S ANTOISAMPAAN OPISKELUUN GUIDE HYY has published Antoisampaan opiskeluun guide for all students.

If you have not received the guide from your own faculty, you can download it in an electronic form on HYY's website at www.hyy.fi (Media & Archive publications). The guide is designed to help you to develop your own learning skills.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE The law students' legal assistance committee Pykälä provides legal advice for the students of the University of Helsinki. Assistance is free of charge.

The committee is on duty during the academic terms on Mon and Wed, 5pm–7pm at Pykälä office at the address Mannerheimintie 3 B (5th floor), 00100 Helsinki, tel. (09) 278 5005, oikeusapu@helsinki.fi

Make your university EVEN BETTER!

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHANGE AT THE UNIVERSITY? DOES THE LIBRARY CLOSE TOO EARLY? DO YOU FEEL THAT THE NUMBER OF CREDITS DOES NOT CORRESPOND TO THE WORK AMOUNT REQUIRED IN A COURSE? THESE AND MANY OTHER ISSUES CAN BE INFLUENCED – ALSO AS A STUDENT. One of the finest things at Finnish universities is that students have a say in decision making. You should take advantage of this opportunity if you feel that things could be improved. Discussions over Unicafe's corner table are therapeutic, but changes are made in administrative organs.

administrative elections, the next elections will be conducted in the autumn of 2015. In addition, positions are completed during the year if necessary. The e-mail list of your subject organisation always provides information about open positions. Previous experience is not required from applicants, so you should always apply if you are interested in the topic! Further information on university administration is available from student representatives in administration, subject or faculty organisation, faculty offices and the Student Union. You can also participate in the development of teaching and other operations of the University in the Student Union's Committee for Academic Affairs.

How can you have influence?

You can have effect on minor issues by giving feedback directly to the person attending to the issue, such as amanuensis, planner or the person responsible of the subject.

Subjects and departments collect feedback about their teaching, for example.

More comprehensive issues are influenced through the university administration. The highest decision-making body of each department is the department council and in each faculty the highest decision-making body is the faculty council. In these councils, one-third of the members are always students. Therefore, there are in total hundreds of active students who have effect in administrative organs. You should contact student representatives immediately if you notice that course arrangements, for example, do not work as they should. Naturally, you can also run as a candidate for the position of a student representative.

Join advocacy activities If you are interested in developing your university, the easiest way to join is through your subject or faculty organisation. Student representatives are elected every other year in administrative elections, the next elections will be conducted in the autumn of 2015. In addition, positions are completed during the year if necessary. The e-mail list of your subject organisation always provides information about open positions. Previous experience is not required from applicants, so you should always apply if you are interested in the topic! Further information on university administration is available from student representatives in administration, subject or faculty organisation, faculty offices and the Student Union. You can also participate in the development of teaching and other operations of the University in the Student Union's Committee for Academic Affairs.

Students' voice is not always heard in administration – but the voice of the student community is loud!

If you are interested in developing your university, the easiest way to join is through your subject or faculty organisation. Student representatives are elected every other year in

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”Administration activities have always been a channel for me to influence common affairs and have personal interaction with the staff. The greatest aspect of the Collegium is that I have been able to present tough questions directly to the Rector. I can neither complain on catering.”

MATTI, STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGIUM

Building a COMMON UNION

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THE 145-YEAR HISTORY OF THE STUDENT UNION INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, POLITICAL TURMOIL AND REFLECTIONS OF STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN SOCIETY. The University moved to Helsinki in 1828 after the Great Fire of Turku. Along with new regulations, Turku Academy was renamed the Imperial Alexander University of Finland.

There were approximately 340 students in the first academic year of the University. The division of student nations was passed on from Turku Academy and it remained slightly changed in Helsinki. In the early years, university students gathered at the University or in teachers' homes. However, the students longed for a ”free atmosphere” and began to rent specific apartments for their meetings. A steady increase in rental costs and lack of space prompted students to plan their own building.

premises­proved to be too small for the increasing number of students. After the motion of Alina Mattsson from Varsinaissuomalainen student nation, the student nation and afterwards the Student Union began to promote the Student Nation House (nowadays the New Student House) which was built beside the Student House in 1910. Year 2010 is the 100th anniversary of the New Student House. The inauguration date is 26 November.

Building of the organisation Due to political reasons, ”the right of the studying youth to present themselves as a corporation” was abolished in 1871. A committee was founded to manage the affairs related to the student house, a library and other financial affairs. The student nations could annually appoint two members to the committee.

A plan of the student house On 15 March 1858, about three hundred university students convened at a general meeting under the direction of Master C. G. Estlander. At the meeting, it was decided to build a house which would be solely managed by the students and which would be a place where students could meet and hold festive events.

In the following years, the general meeting was convened almost every year to promote the construction project. In 1863, rules were drafted for the meetings and in 1868, general student meetings were legalised.

Since 1880, university students have been legally allowed to convene in general meetings as a corporation. A management committee, the Board, was appointed for administrative affairs.

The Student Union became an organisation, the Student Union of Finland, which unified students who were divided into student nations.

The student house (nowadays the Old Student House) was partly financed with donated and collected funds and partly with debt. The inauguration ceremony took place on 26 November 1870. The inauguration was festive: it included music, speeches, poems and, naturally, the ball. To cover the costs that were higher than expected, the Student Union had to collect an additional fee from university students during the following four academic terms. After the turn of the century, the ­Student House­­

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After the operations of the National Union of the University Students in Finland (SYL) were established, the Student Union of Finland was renamed in 1927 as the Student Union of the University of Helsinki. For decades, the student union affairs had been decided in general meetings but in 1932, decision making was transferred to the Representative Council of sixty members elected through the elections.

The immediate administration of the corporation was carried out by the Board and its subsidiary committees as well as separately hired officials, such as librarians and treasurers.

Political activities in the 20th century In the 1920s and the 1930s, the student union activities mostly focused on Finno-Ugric nations and conservatism. In addition to the Nordic Countries, the activities were oriented towards the Baltic Countries and Estonia, in particular. The student union politics were dominated by the Academic Karelia Society, but the temperance movement was also visible.

After the war, the atmosphere in the Student Union changed. Rural depopulation became more common and there was severe lack of housing for university students.

For students, the 1950s was an era of opportunities and ideals. Rationing and reconstruction after the war were finished. There were

jobs matching the education of students. In the 1960s, there was an oversupply of educated labour in some fields.

In the 1960s and the 1970s, the Student Union was characterised by questioning of values, politics and internationalisation. The Left, however, never reached the majority in the Representative Council. Finnish students joined their European colleagues by taking over the Old Student House in 1968 and founding a cultural centre there.

The self-governing status of the Student Union has always been defined by law or a regulation. The University has supervised the appropriateness of the Student Union activities but it has not directed its activities in detail during the independence of Finland.

WWW.HELSINKI.FI/TIEDEKULMA

L KITA ITSESI!

COSTON UNI-LAKIT HELSINGIN YLIOPISTON VÄELLE JA YSTÄVILLE NYT TIEDEKULMASTA! TUNNUSTA TIEDEKUNNAN VÄRIÄ TUPSULLA. TIEDEKULMA PORTHANIA, YLIOPISTONKATU 3, MA–TO 10–18, PE 10–17

Contact Information HUS PERSONNEL Katri Korolainen Secretary General 0400 816 426 paasihteeri@hyy.fi Merja Viitasalo Chief Financial Officer (CFO) 050 534 2963 merja.viitasalo@hyy.fi Anne Rautanen Specialist (higher education policy and the development of teaching) 050 543 8458 anne.rautanen@hyy.fi Janne Lardot Specialist (higher education policy and university administration) 050 543 8460 janne.lardot@hyy.fi Lauri Jurvanen Specialist (housing, health, city) 050 543 9605 lauri.jurvanen@hyy.fi Katja Långvik Specialist (Subsistence, International Students)

050 543 9608 katja.langvik@hyy.fi Emi Maeda Specialist (organisations) 050 537 3798 emi.maeda@hyy.fi Pipsa Penttinen Spelcialist-Producer (culture) 050 537 2831 pipsa.penttinen@hyy.fi Jenni Heikkinen Communications Officer 050 543 9609 tiedottaja@hyy.fi Kristian Autio Art Director, Non-military Service 050 534 2965 kristian.autio@hyy.fi

ARCHIVES Jari Eerola Archivist 050 534 2964 arkisto@hyy.fi

MEMBER SERVICE OFFICE Member- and organisational services Service hours: www.hyy.fi – contact information Tiina Kääriä Office Secretary, Organisational Services 050 551 6145 toimisto@hyy.fi Jeena Vesivalo Office Secretary, HYY Documents 050 432 4939 hallinto@hyy.fi Nova Khalaf Office Secretary, Member Services info(at)hyy.fi 050 551 6146 lyyra@hyy.fi Childcare Childminders 050 303 8333 lapsiparkki@hyy.fi

HYY FRESHMAN GUIDE 2014 EDITOR IN CHIEF Jenni Heikkinen

GRAPHIC DESIGN & LAYOUT Kristian Autio

EDITORIAL STAFF Jari Eerola, Akseli Huhtanen, Matleena Kosonen, Emi Maeda, Pipsa Penttinen, Anna-Maija Riekkinen

PHOTOGRAPHY Kristian Autio (s. 23 ja s.4 Mikko Virta, s. 28-29 Maru Lemmetty)

PUBLISHER Student Union Of The University of Helsinki

Congratulations, new owner!

Every member of the Student Union of the University of Helsinki is an owner of the HYY Group, including you.

You own properties in the centre of Helsinki, student cafeterias and personnel restaurants, a press outlet publishing scientific literature, student apartments, a summer hostel, a reasonably sized investment portfolio and a wide range of service businesses.

Responsibility forms a link between a variety of operations

Corporate responsibility is the theme of the HYY Group, whose profits are used for the benefit of students. Besides making profit, we want to make the world a better place.

We wish you a warm welcome as a student – and a user of your own services!

Get acquainted with our whole range of services at www.hyy.fi/en