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WELCOME TO THE STUDENT UNION, FRESHER!
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INTRODUCTION
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HYY’S SERVICES OFFICE
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SERVICES FOR HYY’S MEMBERS HYY’S REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL
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THE CHAIR OF THE STUDENT UNION LEADS THE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL
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EVENT CALENDAR FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR
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ORGANISATIONAL ACTIVITIES – LIFE OUTSIDE THE LECTURE HALLS
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EIGHT COMMITTEES WORKING FOR THE COMMON GOOD
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SURVIVAL GUIDE ON SUBSISTENCE
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INTO A NEW APARTMENT
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GET INTERNATIONAL AT THE UNIVERSITY
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WHAT STUDENTS DO TODAY, SOCIETY WILL DO TOMORROW!
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YOU HAVE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO INFLUENCE MATTERS!
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STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNIVERSITY’S DECISION-MAKING STRUCTURES
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HELP FOR PROBLEMS
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EQUAL STUDENT LIFE
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EDITOR | JANNE KAJANDER CONTENT | HYY’S EMPLOYEES AND BOARD MEMBERS PHOTOS | JANNE KAJANDER LAYOUT AND VISUALS | MIKKO RAATIKAINEN PUBLISHER | STUDENT UNION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI PRINT | TRINKET
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WELCOME TO THE STUDENT UNION, FRESHER!
I would like to wish you good luck and prosperity with your new studies – and with everything else the University and student life bring along. The Student Union is the community of all students in the University of Helsinki. There are over two hundred different subject and faculty organisations, student nations and culture and hobby organisations operating under HYY. As you learn more about the vast selection of studies available at the University, I warmly recommend that you do not hesitate to take part in everything about student life that you are interested in. You may well find lifelong friends, love and opportunities to change the world. As of my writing this, general upper secondary school students have just graduated, the summer is beginning, and the coronavirus spring is behind us. We do not yet know exactly what the autumn will look like and what special arrangements may be required for studies. It is clear that the coronavirus will have a large effect on the events of our community and your fresher autumn. From the University and organisations, this requires adaptability and cooperation. From you, it requires you to be active and dare to try things that are new – not only to you but to all of us. I have trust in our community’s ability to survive this exceptional time. Yhdessä, tillsammans, together. CLAES BERGH CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF HYY
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ongratulations for becoming a member of the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY)! HYY’s members consist of all basic degree students of the University of Helsinki as well as postgraduate and exchange students who have joined HYY. This Fresher Guide contains a brief version of all the relevant information you need to start your studies and student life. The guide includes information on issues such as HYY’s benefits for members, the Representative Council elections, student advocacy work, what you should consider when looking for an apartment and much more. Student life is not limited to just studying. Participating in HYY’s student events and getting involved in organisational activities are some of the ways in which you can make your time as a student unforgettable. Or perhaps you would like to help make the University, the Student Union or society a better place for students as a student representative in administration or a member of HYY’s Representative Council.
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COMMUNITY We are, above all, a community of students. You can take part in HYY’s activities in just the way that you find the most interesting. We organise fun events throughout the year, from fresher events to May Day. Everyone can be a part of the student community in the way that suits them the best. ADVOCATE We look after your interests. Thanks to our long-term and often invisible advocacy work, students are able to enjoy perks such as student meals subsidised by Kela, affordable student apartments and the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS), which looks after students’ health.
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SERVICE PROVIDER HYY’s members are entitled to several benefits that include subsidised student meals, legal aid, the Ylioppilaslehti and Studentbladet magazines, the student calendar, the Fresher Guide, the student card and student discounts all over Finland.
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HYY’S S E RV I C E S O F F I C E
FOR MEMBERS: Year tags Membership fee issues HYY products (e.g. college sweaters, t-shirts, tote bags, overall badges) info@hyy.fi or 050 551 6146 Chat service available in the bottom right corner of the website
HYY’S SERVICES OFFICE @ MANNERHEIMINTIE 5 C, HANSA PASSAGE
FOR ORGANISATIONS: Meeting room reservations Keys to organisational premises Equipment and device rental toimisto@hyy.fi or 050 551 6145
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DURING ACADEMIC TERMS, HYY’S SERVICES OFFICE IS OPEN FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY. UP-TO-DATE OPENING HOURS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE SERVICES OFFICE’S WEBSITE AT HYY.FI/EN/SERVICES-OFFICE. AT THE SERVICES OFFICE, YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF ISSUES RELATED TO YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN THE STUDENT UNION, FOR INSTANCE. THE SERVICES OFFICE ALSO SERVES STUDENT ORGANISATIONS.
S E RV I C E S F O R HYY’S MEMBERS STUDENT CARD HYY’s members can activate a free digital student card (Frank App) or order a traditional plastic student card from Frank’s online service. The card is the easiest way to prove your student union membership. With the card, you will receive discounts on the services of VR (the national railway company), Matkahuolto (bus and coach services) and student restaurants as well as several other stores and services. For the traditional student card, you should get an annually renewed year tag from either HYY’s Services Office or the temporary year tag collection points. The year tag proves that you have paid the Student Union’s membership fee. Instructions for ordering the card and an impressive and constantly growing selection of student discounts: frank.fi/en. GUIDANCE HYY’s specialists provide members with guidance on issues such as students’ legal protection, housing, subsistence and studies at the university. Their contact information can be found on HYY’s website. YLIOPPILASLEHTI STUDENT MAGAZINE HYY provides all its members with a subscription to the Ylioppilaslehti student magazine, published three times in an academic term. The magazine, founded in 1913, deals with phenomena related to society, culture and the student world before other media have realised they exist, offering fresh perspectives, thoughts and emotions. If you are interested in writing, taking photos or illustrating for Ylioppilaslehti, please contact the magazine’s editor in chief (paatoimittaja@ylioppilaslehti.fi).
STUDENT CALENDAR HYY’s members receive a student calendar every year. The calendar features useful information about the Student Union, descriptions of student organisations operating under HYY and student benefits. You can pick up the calendar at HYY’s Services Office or the temporary year tag collection points at the beginning of the academic year. FREE LEGAL AID HYY offers its members free legal advice provided by Pykälä ry, the subject organisation of law students. The majority of the questions they receive concern housing, employment, family and estate law, studies and social security. The service does not provide tax advice, nor does it prepare documents – although it does provide guidance on drafting them and reviews finished documents. During academic terms, the service is on duty at Pykälä’s office at Mannerheimintie 3 B, 5th floor, tel. +358 9 278 5005, oikeusapu@helsinki.fi. Further information: pykala.fi/legal-assistance. LITTLE HYY The Student Union provides its members with temporary childcare at Siltavuorenpenger 3 C. The minimum age for children is 6 months, and the maximum duration of childcare is four hours at a time. Further information: pikkuhyy@hyy.fi and hyy.fi/en/guides/survival-guide#little-hyy.
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HY Y’S REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL
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WHAT EVEN IS THE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL? THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDENT UNION IS TO ACT AS A LINK BETWEEN ITS MEMBERS AND TO PROMOTE THEIR SOCIETAL, SOCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL ASPIRATIONS AS WELL AS THEIR ASPIRATIONS REGARDING STUDIES AND STUDENTS’ STATUS IN SOCIETY.
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THE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL IS IN CHARGE OF DECISION-MAKING IN OUR STUDENT UNION The council consists of 60 students elected every other year. All our members have the right to vote in the elections as well as to run as a candidate in them. The Representative Council decides on issues such as HYY’s Constitution and budget as well as appoints the Board. The council meets around once a month during academic terms. The meetings are streamed live – you can follow them from the comfort of your home!
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THE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL IS THE HIGHEST DECISION-MAKER IN THE STUDENT UNION The duties of the Representative Council include several election tasks. The council elects the Student Union’s chair, secretary general and Board, for instance. Its duties also include monitoring and managing the Student Union’s finances and operations. The council also decides on the regulations needed to support the Student Union’s operation. All the duties of the Representative Council are listed in HYY’s Constitution.
INFLUENCE MATTERS IN HY Y’S REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS! ALL HYY’S MEMBERS CAN VOTE AND RUN AS A CANDIDATE IN THE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS. THE ELECTIONS ARE HELD EVERY OTHER YEAR, WITH THE NEXT ONES ORGANISED IN AUTUMN 2020. ONE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL TERM LASTS TWO YEARS.
HOW DO I BECOME A CANDIDATE? All HYY’s members can run as a candidate in the Representative Council elections. The official nomination of candidates ends on 21 September. However, if you want to become a candidate, you should contact the electoral coalition of your choice as soon as your studies begin. In the Representative Council elections, candidates may form electoral coalitions with other candidates. The electoral coalitions, on the other hand, may form electoral alliances with other coalitions. If you wish to run as a candidate, you should contact the Representative Council group whose election list you wish to join.
THE ELECTRONIC VOTING IS ORGANISED ON ELECTION DAYS AS FOLLOWS: FIRST ELECTION WEEK (WED 28 OCTOBER–FRI 30 OCTOBER) Electronic voting on HYY’s election website at vaalit.hyy.fi at 9 am–6 pm SECOND ELECTION WEEK (MON 2 NOVEMBER–WED 4 NOVEMBER) Electronic voting on HYY’s election website at vaalit.hyy.fi at 9 am–6 pm Further information on the Representative Council elections is available at hyy.fi/vaalit.
HOW DO I VOTE? Voting in the Representative Council elections is conducted electronically. It is quick and easy – you only need your University user account for identification!
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WHO ARE YOU? My name is Jussi Nuortimo, and I act as the chair of the Student Union and thus also as the chair of the Representative Council. The chair does not take part in the council’s decision-making processes, they only act as a sort of collective force. My most important duty is to facilitate and support the decision-making processes. WHY ARE THE OPERATIONS OF THE STUDENT UNION AND THE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL IMPORTANT TO ALL STUDENTS? The Student Union’s operations constitute students’ self-governance. In Finland, students are in a position of privilege: we are able to govern our own status to quite a large extent outside the municipal and state structures. Students genuinely have power in society and at the University. The Student Union works to build a better tomorrow, and the Representative Council has a really central role in this. WHY SHOULD PEOPLE VOTE IN THE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS? Voting is always worth it in all elections. You do not lose anything by voting. And in the Representative Council elections, even a single vote can have a lot of influence on what kind of organisation HYY is, what issues are emphasised when influencing the University and the city and what is done with HYY’s assets.
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THE CHAIR OF THE STUDENT UNION LEADS THE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL WHAT CAN YOU GET OUT OF ACTING IN THE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL? WHY SHOULD YOU RUN AS A CANDIDATE IN THE ELECTIONS? At least personally, I have got so much out of it! Acting in the Student Union, you learn about themes such as politics, decision-making, money, the market economy, corporate activities and negotiation, with its agreements and disagreements. If you are at all interested in decision-making and our common issues, you should become a candidate. You will also form lasting friendships through the activities, which is at least as valuable an aspect to it, if not more so. WHAT KIND OF GREETINGS DO YOU WISH TO SEND TO NEW FRESHERS? As freshers, your position is truly enviable. When I got my own letter of acceptance to the University, I had no idea what to expect, but I saw a long road with interesting scenery opening up in front of me – and I was right! You can get very surprising things out of your studies, and you should enjoy that time of your life for as long as it feels good. Many of you probably have one of the best periods of your life in front of you – enjoy it!
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EVENT CALENDAR FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR
FRESHER WEEK ON 21–25 SEPTEMBER 2020 On Fresher Week, you will get to learn about organisational activities, your Student Union and the University’s operators safely and easily – and having fun will not be forgotten either! The Fresher Week is a brand-new event, organised entirely remotely. During the week, you will get to complete fun tasks from the comfort of your own home either alone or as part of a team! The Fresher Week’s detailed programme will be published at hyy.fi/fuksiviikko.
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THROUGHOUT THE ACADEMIC YEAR, HYY ORGANISES BOTH LARGE AND SMALL EVENTS FOR ALL STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI! IN HYY’S EVENTS, YOU WILL GET TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS AS WELL AS MEET ORGANISATIONS AND STUDENTS FROM ALL CAMPUSES ACROSS DISCIPLINARY BOUNDARIES. BECAUSE OF THE CORONAVIRUS, WE LIVE IN VERY EXCEPTIONAL TIMES IN 2020. THIS MAY RESULT IN CHANGES TO THE EVENT CALENDAR AS THE SITUATION EVOLVES. HOWEVER, WE WILL COMMUNICATE ABOUT ANY CHANGES OR ADDITIONS THROUGH HYYS’ CHANNELS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
HYY POP UP CAMPUS TOUR IN AUTUMN 2020 HYY’s campus tour visits all the University’s campuses! The Pop Ups feature theme stands related to subsistence, wellbeing, study affairs, committees and organisations. In addition to this, there will be brand-new HYY overall badges, HYY products and prizes available at the event!
HYY’S 152ND ANNIVERSARY ON 21 NOVEMBER 2020 Location: Old Student House At HYY’s grand academic dinner party, we will raise a toast to the 152-year-old Student Union. STUDENTS’ INDEPENDENCE DAY TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION ON 6 DECEMBER 2020 Location: Hietaniemi cemetery (start), Senate Square The Independence Day procession of all students of the Capital Region will illuminate the streets of Helsinki from the Hietaniemi cemetery all the way to the Senate Square. Come and enjoy the communality and traditions together with other students!
MAY DAY 30 APRIL–1 MAY 2021 Location: Havis Amanda, Ullanlinnanmäki The most important celebration for students is, of course, May Day! Students often start celebrating May Day well in advance, but at the latest, the bubbly drinks are popped open at the crowning of the Havis Amanda statue, or Manta, at 6 pm on 30 April. Student unions take turns crowning the statue, and the Student Union of Hanken School of Economics has their turn in 2021. HYY’s next turn will come around in 2022! We recommend continuing the celebrations with the reception of May Day at Ullanlinnanmäki on 1 May. Afterwards, the festive mood continues to rise during the legendary May Day picnic, with numerous student organisations and residents of the city celebrating together.
FLORA 2021 May is the time for parties: Flora’s Day comes up soon after May Day. Flora’s Day is the joint springtime celebration of HYY and the University of Helsinki, held on a different campus each year. In 2021, we will celebrate Flora’s Day on the Kumpula campus!
TUTOR ADVENTURE 2021 Before the academic year ends, HYY and the University of Helsinki will welcome our new tutors for 2021 in the Tutor Adventure. All students of the University accepted as tutors can join the adventure. The application period for tutors will open at the turn of the year!
DID YOU KNOW? As a fresher starting in 2020, you will get to experience the Grand Sitsit with over 2,000 students at the Senate Square (in 2021) and HYY’s turn to crown Manta (in 2022) during your studies!
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THERE ARE AROUND 250 DIFFERENT STUDENT ORGANISATIONS OPERATING UNDER THE STUDENT UNION. THEIR MEMBERS ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR OWN SUBJECT AND STUDENT LIFE, HOME REGION, POLITICAL IDEOLOGY, HOBBY OR SPORTS – AND ABOVE ALL, THE STUDENTS WHO THEY SHARE THEIR ENTHUSIASM WITH.
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ORGANISATIONAL ACTIVITIES – LIFE OUTSIDE THE LECTURE HALLS STUDENT LIFE BLOOMS IN ORGANISATIONS They consist of academic dinner parties, trips and travel, shared nights, debates, sweating and tinkering – whatever the members happen to come up with. The best memories of your study years are likely to be created outside lecture halls, with likeminded friends. There are new friends waiting for you in student organisations, along with skills that you would not get anywhere else: from organising parties for hundreds of people to laying out magazines and from argumentation skills to project management.
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THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF ORGANISATIONS Subject and faculty organisations are formed around a specific subject or faculty. Student nations are open to all students and are divided based on geographic regions. In hobby organisations, you will get to focus on something together – sports, crafts, games or food, for example.
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ASK YOUR TUTORS AND FRIENDS WHICH ORGANISATIONS THEY RECOMMEND Both the student calendar and HYY’s website feature a list of all organisations. We suggest that you do not hesitate to participate in organisational activities – getting involved in them can easily lead to you finding great new friends across disciplinary boundaries! If you are feeling shy, ask your friends to join you or your tutor to organise a visit to some organisation’s event for your entire fresher group.
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ORGANISATIONS
FA C U LT Y O R G A N I S AT I O N S
SUBJECT ORGANISATIONS
NATIONS
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OUR COMMITTEES FOCUS ON BRAINSTORMING AND DEVELOPING ACTIVITIES FOR OUR STUDENT UNION’S DIFFERENT SECTORS. THIS TRANSLATES INTO ORGANISING EVENTS, SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS, CONDUCTING ADVOCACY WORK RELATED TO EDUCATIONAL POLICY AND DEVELOPING OUR UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY, FOR INSTANCE. THE COMMITTEES ARE OPEN TO ALL OUR MEMBERS, AND YOU CAN JOIN THEIR ACTIVITIES AT ANY POINT DURING THE YEAR.
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EIGHT COMMITTEES WORKING FOR THE COMMON GOOD
STUDENT ORGANISATIONS COMMITTEE The Student Organisations Committee participates in supporting the organisations that operate under us and developing their activities. During the year, it organises many training events for organisational actors as well as allocates Alina Hall reservations in the autumn and spring. Every autumn, the Student Organisations Committee also rewards distinguished organisation heroes and names the overall badge of the year among other contests included in its organisation contests that are open to everyone. BILINGUALISM COMMITTEE Do you want to promote the Swedish language at the University, in the Student Union or in the FSHS, for instance? In the Bilingualism Committee, you will get to both conduct advocacy work and organise events. The most important event of the committee’s year is the Finnish Swedish Heritage Day in November. CAMPUS FARMING COMMITTEE Tomatoes on the City Centre campus or pumpkins in Kumpula? The Campus Farming Committee coordinates urban farming on different campuses and organises events for everyone interested in its activities. Farming connects students and the University’s staff members on the summery campuses. DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION COMMITTEE Do you want to make the world a better place? Are global responsibility and equality important to you? Join the Development Cooperation Committee! The committee is in charge of HYY’s development cooperation projects and organises global education events. The Mozambique project this year focuses on the equality of young people.
STUDIES COMMITTEE Are you interested in study affairs? The Studies Committee is a place for all students interested in study affairs and educational policy to get information, form networks and discuss study affairs. The committee is a network for student representatives and the study advisors of organisations in particular: it can provide you with help, advice and peer support for your duties. EVENTS COMMITTEE Add some sparkles to student life! The Events Committee is the perfect place for members of the Student Union interested in event organisation. You will get to take part in brainstorming and realising the Student Union’s events and creating the committee’s own activities according to your own preferences. We work together with the Student Union’s producer and the member of the Board in charge of events – and, naturally, everything is done on a low threshold. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Do you want to be involved in making our Student Union more equal, inclusive and open? Have you noticed any defects that you wish you could work on? Let’s make HYY an even better community and student union than before – for all of us! Join the Community Development Committee, or Code for short, to promote participation, communality, equality and equal opportunities to participate and influence matters. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE Are environmental issues close to your heart? Join the club! In the Environmental Committee, we learn about, discuss and, above all, get inspiration from themes related to the environment. Besides various nature trips and documentary nights, our activities include larger campaigns ranging from events for exchanging clothes to dinners made from surplus food – all in good company, of course.
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S U RV I VA L G U I D E ON SUBSISTENCE
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Apply for student aid from Kela as soon as you have accepted your student place. Student aid includes the study grant and a government guarantee for the student loan. You need to apply for the student loan itself from your bank. To receive student aid, you must make sufficient study progress and your other income must not exceed the annual income limit. The study grant is subject to taxation, which means that you need to take it into account in taxation if you have any other income. If needed, use the calculators of Kela and the Tax Administration. If you have been working before starting your studies, keep your payslips just in case. You may need them later for the income checks made by Kela. Once you have received an apartment, apply for general housing allowance from Kela. If you live in a shared apartment, remember to get separate rental agreements or make a sublease agreement – otherwise Kela may consider you to belong to the same household with your roomies, which would mean that you receive a shared housing allowance. Pay HYY’s membership fee and register for attendance by 31 August. This entitles you to use HYY’s member services and to download or order your student card. As a new student, you can apply for the card on 1 August at the earliest. The student card entitles you to numerous benefits when travelling and dining, for instance. Make the order at frank.fi. Monitor your income and expenses to keep your finances in balance. When planning your budget, take the following into account: • What regular income and expenses do you have? Your income may include Kela’s benefits or work income, for instance, whereas your expenses could include housing costs (rent, water, electricity and the internet), groceries and public transport. Remember to make provisions for occasional and surprising expenses in your budget. • You can monitor your use of money on the penno.fi website or with apps installed on your phone, for instance. • If you have financial problems, do not hesitate to seek help from the Guarantee Foundation, for instance. • If you need any help with subsistence, HYY’s specialist is happy to help! Their up-to-date contact information is available on HYY’s website.
INTO A NEW A PA RT M E N T THE CAPITAL REGION SUFFERS FROM A SHORTAGE OF APARTMENTS. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE STUDENT APARTMENTS AVAILABLE ONLY FOR A LIMITED NUMBER OF APPLICANTS. FOR THIS REASON, WE RECOMMEND LOOKING FOR APARTMENTS FROM SEVERAL HOUSING PROVIDERS. IF YOU ARE OFFERED AN APARTMENT, ACCEPTING THE OFFER IS USUALLY RECOMMENDED. LOOK OUT FOR SCAMMERS, THOUGH. DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY OR YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS TO ANYONE BEFORE YOU HAVE SEEN THE APARTMENT AND SIGNED A WRITTEN RENTAL AGREEMENT.
WHEN MOVING, REMEMBER THIS: 1. Be prepared to pay the rent and a rental security deposit corresponding to 3 months’ rent at most in connection with your first payment. 2. Apply for general housing allowance as soon as you have signed the rental agreement. 3. Check the condition of the apartment before moving in. Take photos of any faults and report them.
STUDENT HOUSING PROVIDERS INCLUDE: • Hoas – Foundation for Student Housing in the Helsinki Region, hoas.fi • Student nations, osakunta.fi/asunnot • There are apartments available from several housing providers for the students of the faculties of theology, medicine and agriculture and forestry. • Further information on housing and housing providers: hyy.fi/en/guides/housing
NOTE: • A rental security deposit corresponding to more than three months of rent is not legal (Act on Residential Leases, Chapter 1, Section 8). • A typical rental security deposit corresponds to around 1–2 months’ worth of rent.
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GET INTERNATIONAL AT THE UNIVERSITY
GO ON EXCHANGE If you are interested in exchange studies, we recommend that you start planning for an exchange that suits your degree right at the start of your studies. This way, you have better chances of getting to the country of your choice and ensuring that the timing of the exchange fits in your degree in a natural manner. Support for exchange periods exists in the form of various grants, and you are also eligible for student aid during your exchange. The University’s International Exchange Services provide you with help on planning and realising the exchange. DO AN INTERNSHIP ABROAD Acquiring international work experience is a great way to develop your skills. You have to obtain the internship position yourself, but you can apply for grants from the University: Erasmus+ trainee grants for internships within the EU and travel grants for international internships for internships in other countries. You can apply for Erasmus grants during both bachelor’s and master’s studies – and even after graduation.
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INTERNATIONALITY IS INTEGRAL TO THE UNIVERSITY AND SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY. BESIDES YOUR LANGUAGE SKILLS, INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE WILL IMPROVE YOUR INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND INCREASE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF DIVERSITY. ALL THIS WILL BENEFIT YOU IN WORKING LIFE REGARDLESS OF YOUR CHOSEN FIELD, WHILE GETTING TO KNOW PEOPLE FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD IS SURE TO ENRICH YOUR LIFE IN GENERAL!
STUDY IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES Improve your language skills and international expertise while learning about foreign cultures by completing language studies. The University’s Language Centre offers courses in 16 different languages – and you can meet the international students of the University at the same time! Besides individual courses, the University has several English-language master’s programmes you can apply to, even if you completed your bachelor’s degree in Finnish. MEET INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS There are many international organisations operating under the Student Union. Organisational activities are the best way for many international students to meet Finnish students – and vice versa. You can, for instance, become a tutor for international students and help them learn about Finnish culture and student life.
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WHAT STUDENTS D O T O D A Y, S O C I E T Y W I L L DO TOMORROW!
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ne of the most important duties of the Student Union is to influence matters according to the interests of its members both at the University and in society. It is our job to ensure that students’ voice is heard in decisions that concern them. For this reason, we encourage our members towards active citizenship and participation in the University’s decision-making processes. As a student, you are not a customer at the University nor are you its product – you are a part of the University community. To begin with, the University may seem large and complex, and participation difficult. However, students have many ways and channels to get involved in influencing matters. There are opportunities available to everyone regardless of how much background knowledge you have or how much time you can spare. Just start looking for the channel that you can use to influence matters!
YOU HAVE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO INFLUENCE MATTERS! SUGGESTIONS ON HOW YOU CAN INFLUENCE MATTERS: • By giving feedback on courses and completing the HowULearn survey, for instance, you can influence the ways in which teaching is developed in the future. • By participating in discussion events and workshops organised by the University, you will get to state your views and improve the University little by little with marginal effort. • There are around 600 student representatives appointed by HYY in the University’s decision-making bodies. This autumn, new student representatives are appointed to the executive groups of all degree programmes – they impact the quality of teaching and the smooth flow of studies concretely. Follow our communication and the hyy.fi/en/apply-to-become-a-student-representative page to be informed about open positions where you can influence matters! • HYY’s committees, which are open to all our members, are an easy way to get involved in the Student Union’s activities. Find the one that suits you the best from among the eight committees we have and join the action! • From time to time, the Student Union organises various events and campaigns to take a stand on issues such as national educational policy and student aid. By taking part in the campaigns in social media, for instance, your voice will be heard in national-level decision-making processes, too!
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STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNIVERSITY’S DECISIONMAKING STRUCTURES
WHAT MADE YOU BECOME A STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE? Right at the start of my studies, I saw how my own feedback improved matters and how I was heard as a student. That increased my desire to influence matters. At the same time, I was interested in strengthening my own professional identity. WHAT HAS THE WORK BEEN LIKE? I have managed to influence studies concretely, at the level of individual courses, and work on the curriculum, for instance. In the executive group, we participate in the discussion actively. The themes range from individual formulations at the grassroots level to large and complex issues: from the personnel strategy to the future of education on the field.
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WHO ARE YOU? I am Minea Antila. I have worked with educational policy in my subject organisation and as a student representative in the executive group of the Degree Programme in Psychology, for instance.
WHAT KIND OF SKILLS HAVE YOU LEARNED? Diplomacy and courage. Acting as the link between students and the University means balancing between different kinds of views – you are defending students’ interests while also taking into account the realities of the University’s situation. In meetings with the personnel, such as professors, you need to have the courage to open your mouth about the matters. This has helped me increase my self-confidence and courage to take a stand as well as my trust in myself and my views. WHAT ARE THE BEST PARTS OF BEING A STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE? The best parts are the team spirit of our group and getting to know the staff members on a deeper level – creating a sort of collegiality. It also always feels good when you achieve something you have been advocating. For instance, we got a new course on gender and sexuality included in our programme at the students’ initiative. The course was super popular: the number of students signing up for it was much higher than the maximum number of participants. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO A FRESHER WHO IS CONSIDERING APPLYING TO BECOME A STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE? Just apply! Anyone can get involved in the work. The only requirements are interest in the work and a genuine desire to influence matters. You should trust the strength of your own vision instead of expecting someone else to be more qualified. What you get out of the work is extremely valuable. Learning to trust your own views, express ideas and negotiate – these are all skills that help you get far in life.
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HELP FOR PROBLEMS THE FINNISH STUDENT HEALTH SERVICE (FSHS) is there for you. The FSHS provides general health, oral health and mental health services, which are at your disposal in exchange for the Student Union’s membership fee. Through the FSHS’s online service Self, you can manage your appointments, use contact forms, communicate via chat or start a remote consultation. Register to use Self right at the beginning of the academic year!
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STUDYING AND LIFE DURING STUDIES IS SURE TO MAKE EVERYONE STRESSED OUT AT SOME POINT. FORTUNATELY, SUPPORT AND HELP IS AVAILABLE!
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TREATMENT NEED ASSESSMENTS AND APPOINTMENTS Through the chat service: yths.fi/en/self By phone Mon–Thu at 8 am–3 pm, Fri at 8 am–2 pm General health, tel. 046 710 1027 Oral health, tel. 046 710 1032
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Study psychologists offer counselling to anyone in need of support in questions related to study skills, motivation, time management, coping or writing theses. Further information: opintopsykologi@helsinki.fi.
UNIVERSITY CHAPLAINS. You can have confidential discussions with the University chaplains. This does not require any religious belief – you can talk about exactly the issues you want to. Leena Huovinen (City Centre), tel. 050 3019613, leena.huovinen@evl.fi
HARASSMENT CONTACT PERSONS at the Student Union and the University can help you if you encounter bullying, discrimination, racism or sexual harassment at the University. Any contacts with HYY’s or the University’s harassment contact persons are confidential. You can reach HYY’s harassment contact persons at hairintayhdyshenkilo@hyy.fi.
Laura Mäntylä (Kumpula and Viikki), tel. 050 591 9874, laura.mantyla@evl.fi A new Swedish-language university chaplain for the Meilahti campus starts at the beginning of August.
NYYTI RY. Are you looking for ways to help you relax and feel good? Are you interested in sharing your thoughts in nice company and a casual atmosphere? Or would you rather produce content related to these themes yourself? All this and much more can be found at nyyti.fi.
HYY DEFENDS STUDENTS’ RIGHTS. Individual students cannot possibly know about all of the University’s regulations or legislation. HYY offers the support and advice of its specialists in educational policy. You can also contact the study advisors at Student Services or the educational coordinator of your own degree programme.
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EQUAL STUDENT LIFE
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quality concerns all of us. Equality does not mean that everyone should be treated the same way – it refers to creating equal opportunities and a sense of belonging for everyone, regardless of their background. The student community is there for all of us. You should not have to tolerate harassment or discrimination. HYY has two harassment contact persons who provide you with advice and support if needed. You can contact them at hairintayhdyshenkilo@hyy.fi. All discussions with the harassment contact persons are confidential, and they are under an obligation of secrecy.
HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF THIS? ‘WHY DON’T THEY DRINK?’ Not drinking alcohol is a personal choice for which people do not need a separate reason. Having fun together is always possible without alcohol! TAKING PART WITH NO THRESHOLDS! An accessible environment makes equal participation possible for everyone. There may be participants who join with their child in a pushchair, move in a wheelchair or have a visual impairment, for instance. ‘DO YOU SPEAK FINNISH?’ There are students who speak other languages than Finnish at the University. Have you ensured that language barriers do not prevent participation? ‘THEY ALWAYS PUT OUT!’ Sexual harassment is not limited to physical advances – it can also be verbal.
‘SO, ARE YOU JACK OR JILL?’ Everyone does not necessarily identify as male or female, as a binary understanding of gender would have it, and not everyone is heterosexual. Please respect everyone’s identity and right to define or refuse to define themselves. ‘ARE THEY SOME SORT OF A COMMIE?’ Everyone has the right to their own political and ideological beliefs. WOMEN WASH THE DISHES, MEN CARRY THE EQUIPMENT You can easily drift into stereotypical gender roles without even noticing it. Do not pressure anyone to conform to any role based on their gender. ‘YEAH BUT WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM?’ Do not assume that you know something about someone’s background based just on their appearance. You are not only making the person feel like an outsider, but also sustaining racist power structures. Read more at equality.fi.
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CITY CENTRE CAMPUS, MAIN BUILDING (IN RENOVATION)
KUMPULA CAMPUS, PHYSICUM
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MEILAHTI CAMPUS, BIOMEDICUM
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THE NEW STUDENT HOUSE AND THE OLD STUDENT HOUSE
Practice makes Masters.
Life is about more than just studying and working. You should engage in regular physical activity and maintain your mental wellbeing. UniSport offers opportunities to stay active for all kinds of people in the city centre, Kumpula, Meilahti, Otaniemi and Viikki. With UniSport you have access to a wide variety of activities ranging from ball sports, gym training, yoga, Bodypump and so much more – and at a very reasonable price. Come and get moving! The first visit is free. Welcome!
UNISPORT.FI
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Ylva, sustainable solutions Ylva is a company owned by HYY – as HYY’s member, you are thus one of our owners. Ylva’s goal is to make Helsinki a more fun, sustainable and international city. Our business operations focus on real estate, investment activities and restaurant and catering business.
Sustainable solutions are at the core of Ylva’s activities. Climate change mitigation cannot rest upon the actions of individual people alone – at Ylva, we believe in the role that companies have in finding solutions. Working actively at the intersection of science and
More fun, easy and sustainable What kind of presence does Ylva have in your everyday life? Ylva owns the entire Kaivopiha block. When you walk from the Helsinki Railway Square towards the student houses, you are walking on your own property. During the next few years, Ylva is making the city even more vibrant and functional by reforming the surroundings of theKaivopiha property. In January 2020, Ylva started construction work on Lyyra in Hakaniemi (lyyra.fi). Lyyra is a city
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Defender of education
economy gives us the opportunity to use the latest research findings to develop and provide our services. Ylva has a long history of fostering responsible solutions.
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Accumulating the Student Union’s assets at the expense of climate would be completely untenable.
block of science and economy that combines new services, interesting restaurants, and apartments meant for international researchers.The UniCafe restaurants are a concrete part of Ylva that you see every day. With UniCafe, making smart choices is easy. Delicious, ethical food and affordable lunches for students are at the heart of UniCafe’s operations.
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Students’ ability to constantly ask new questions and suggest new avenues is a majorresource for Ylva’s operations.
Company that makes the best student life possible The most important task of Ylva is to bring in profits for its owner, HYY. Ylva pays dividends from the profits of its business operations to HYY, and the Student Union uses these funds to finance its own activities. Ylva helps the Student Union cover two thirds of its expenses, and our goal is for
the Student Union to have no membership fees at all by 2025. Students also have the opportunity to directly influence Ylva’s operations. Students make up the majority of Ylva’s Board members. The unique combination of student members and assessors on Ylva’s Board has made it possible for Ylva to play a pioneering role in many issues related to responsibility for several decades now.
Ylva’s key figures
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Distribution of profits to HYY
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Lunch at UniCafe is always affordable and delicious. Don’t worry your head – eat at UniCafe. We have meal options for all tastes. We are changing the world one plate at a time: our responsible and environmentally friendly lunches are
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According to the relevant Government Decree, the quality of student meals must meet general health and nutritional criteria. The recommendations on energy and nutrient intake are based on the recommendations of the National Nutrition Council of Finland. A student meal should cover around one third of students’ daily energy needs. In practice, this means that the amount of energy that a student meal contains should be 700–800 kcal (2.9–3.3 MJ) on average but at least 500 kcal (2.1 MJ) and at most 1 000 kcal (4.2 MJ). The recommended average proportions of energy nutrients out of the total amount of energy (E%, range in parentheses) in the meals are as follows: fat 30 (25–35) E%, protein 15 (10– 20) E%, and carbohydrates 55 (50–60) E%. Meals should include a main dish, a high-energy side dish (potato, barley, rice, pasta, or grain mix) and other components (high-fibre and low-salt bread, spread that is low in saturated and trans fats, fat-free milk or sour milk, fresh vegetables and/or salad, and oil-based dressing). A meal that follows these criteria covers around one third of daily energy needs, has a fat content providing a maximum of 35% of the total energy, with a maximum of one third of the fat being saturated and trans fats, and contains a maximum of 40% of the recommended daily intake of salt (≤ 2.8 g/meal). Meals that do not follow the above criteria must still adhere to the principles of healthy nutrition and have at least the other components of the meal, described above , follow the criteria. If the main dish of the meal does not meet the criteria of the recommendations, the meal as a whole cannot be guaranteed to meet the recommendations either. Two thirds of the fat must be unsaturated. Saturated and trans fats should account for a maximum of 10% of the total energy (E%) of the meal.
prepared with 100-percent attitude.
