+ All Categories
Home > Documents > HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

Date post: 22-Feb-2016
Category:
Upload: helsingin-yliopiston-ylioppilaskunta
View: 226 times
Download: 0 times
Share this document with a friend
Description:
A guide to all the new students of the University of Helsinki by the Student Union.
Popular Tags:
40
FRESHMAN GUIDE 2013 Student Union of the University of Helsinki
Transcript
Page 1: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

FRESHMAN GUIDE 2013Student Union of the University of Helsinki

Page 2: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

Events of thestudent unionautumn 20132.9. The Opening Carnival on Centre Campus

2.9. The Opening Party at the Old Student House

4.9. UniCafe student event at UniCafe Kaivopiha

3.-13.9. HYY-tours for Freshmen

28.9. Helsinki Climate Forum

7.-13.10. HYY’s Development Co-Operation Week

4.-5.11. University’s Administrative Elections. www.hyy.fi/hallintovaalit

20.-26.11. HYY’s Anniversary Week

26.11. HYY’s 144th Anniversary

6.12. Torchlight procession of Independence Day

Every week

HYY at ThinkCorner every Monday 4-6pm Come hear and experience what’s new at the Student Union and the Student organisations.

Welcome to join!

Page 3: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

Student Union of the University of Helsinki

Freshman Guide

Dear FreshmanThe student union is yours

Services OfficeThe Student Union has influence

Student Union, this is what it isHYY Group

020406081011

1214161920

You can’t learn everything from booksOrganisation world in figuresActivities for university studentsSinging and playing into student lifeTips for student life

Overalls are the students uniformExercise in between lectures

Food and coffee in students’ own UnicafesStudent’s survival kit

Students in the university administration

2224252628

3031323437

For a better tomorrow The student Union and the environmentEqual student lifeBuilding a common unionContact information

Page 4: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

4

Page 5: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

5

Dear freshman!Welcome to become a member of Finland’s oldest, cutest and largest student union!

This guide contains the best bits of student life and good practical tips. By reading them carefully, your study years will be more fun than you think. Dive open-mindedly into this great community. Be delight-ed, be surprised, dance on tables and taste a little bit of everything!

Do not worry, you will pass all the exams before you graduate.Hooray!

- Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY) Board 2013

Page 6: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

4

Page 7: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

Student Union is the students’ ben-efit 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 auto-matically part of the Student Union. Doctoral stu-dents and exchange students may join the Student Union if they wish to do so.

In the Universities Act, student unions are defined as corporations subject to public law, which have rights and responsibilities. Their purpose is to act as liaison for their members and promote stu-dents’ societal, social and intellectual aspirations. In HYY, this means the diversity of various organ-isations, events organised for all students, benefits negotiated by the Student Union and guidance provided for members. HYY also supervises stu-dents’ interests both at university and outside the academic world.

The student union is yours

Information about the Student Union and its operations:

▶ www.hyy.helsinki.fi ▶ www.facebook.com/HYY.HUS ▶ Twitter: @ylioppilaskunta ▶ HYY’s member newsletter by e-mail

every other week

5

Page 8: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

8

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.

For members: ▶ Year tag ▶ Membership fee issues ▶ Advisory services

For organisations: ▶ Meeting rooms ▶ Equipment lending (details on lent items

are available on the website)

Services OfficeThe Student Union’s Services Office is located at the New Student House at Mannerhei-mintie 5 A, 2nd floor.

HYY’s member benefits and services for students

Student cardHYY’s members can order the stu-dent card. The card is the most con-venient way to prove your student union membership. With the card, you receive discounts on the servic-es of VR (national railway company), Matkahuolto (bus and coach servic-es) and student restaurants, for ex-ample. A year tag, which is acquired each year for the student card, 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 in-structions are available on the web service www.myfrank.fi

Ylioppilaslehti student magazineHYY subscribes Ylioppilaslehti stu-dent 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 would like to write, take photos or draw for Ylioppilaslehti, please con-tact the chief editor ([email protected]).

Freshman guideHYY offers you this information package on the Student Union, studies and daily student life.

Student calendarHYY’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 collect the student card and the year tag. You can get the calendar from HYY’s Services Of-fice or the University’s main build-ing, for example.www.hyy.fi

Free legal assistance Pykälä’s Committee for Legal Assis-tance provides legal advice to HYY’s members by mail, telephone, e-mail

and in person. Most of the questions presented to the committee con-cern 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 fin-ished documents. The committee is on duty at Pykälä’s office (Manner-heimintie 3 B, 5th floor) during the academic terms on Mondays and Wednesday, 5pm–7pm, tel. (09) 278 5005, e-mail [email protected].

Child careChild care services offer temporary child care assistance for HYY’s mem-bers. The minimum age of children is 6 months and the maximum du-ration of child care is three hours at a time. Further information: [email protected] and www.hyy.fi.

AdviceHYY’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 influenc-ing the university.

! !!

Page 9: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

7

Healthcare

11. FSHS- Finnish student health service

Public transport

12. Kamppi - Regional buses

13. Railway station- Buses to Campuses in Kumpula, Meilahtiand Viikki leave from here

Other

14. Stockmann

15. Sokos

16. Kaisa–library

HYY’s premises

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

2. The Old Student House - Café Vanhan kuppila

3. Domus Gaudium- premises of organisations and student nations

HYY’s student restaurants

4. UniCafe Kaivopiha

5. UniCafe Porthania

6. UniCafe Päärakennus

7. UniCafe Rotunda

8. UniCafe Topelias

9. UniCafe Soc & Kom ja

Valtiotiede

10. UniCafe Olivia

Page 10: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

8

The Student Union is the students’ channel for influence and a way to do many things. In-fluencing 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 student house lobby.

HYY’s 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 employees and volunteer stu-dents (such as the members of the Representative Council and committees). In addition, the Board continuously meets both the representatives of the University, as well as decision-makers of the city and the state to discuss 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.

In practice, the Board is the face and 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 tack-led next.

In the city In urban affairs, the Student Union cooperates not only with the city, but also with other stu-dent 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 univer-sity campuses, for example, and demanded more of affordable student housing in the metropoli-tan area. In the year 2013, HYY was involved in the organising of the University’s experiment, in which farming sacks were purchased to the court-yards of the university buildings for the use of stu-dents and staff.

At the UniversityHYY’s Board and employees meet with the Uni-versity’s employees frequently and are involved in the University’s various administrative bodies and working groups where they present the 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 28.

The Student Union has influence

Committees

HYY has ten committees where you can participate in the Stu-

dent Union’s activities according to your own interests. You

can join the committees at any time of the year and be in-

volved in activities according to how much you have interest

and time. Committees provide an opportunity to organise in-

teresting events ranging from parties and sitsit to exhibitions

and seminars. The committees also have important tasks,

such as the administration of HYY’s development coopera-

tion projects and the organisation of various training sessions

for organisations operating within the Student Union. In ad-

dition to the committee websites, you will find information

on the committee events on HYY’s website at: www.hyy.fi.

Page 11: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

9

Get your hands off student financial aid!In the spring of 2013, HYY participated in

the organising of the student financial aid

campaign common for all students. The

campaign culminated in a mass demon-

stration 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 2012, HYY wanted to make the

students’ voice heard in municipal elec-

tions. Early in the year, we collected stu-

dents’ ideas of a better Helsinki.

Urban Farming!The urban farming project by HYY and the

university’s Think Corner brought farming

sacs for the students to the Centre Campus.

Page 12: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

9

Student Union, this is what it isWho makes the important decisions in the Student Union? Who decides what the opinion of HYY is?

HYY is a democratic communityThe 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 mu-nicipal council or the Parliament. The Representa-tive Council makes the most significant financial decisions and defines the future and development of the Student Union. Like the state and munici-palities, HYY appoints the Board to manage daily affairs.

HYY’s administration – this is how the Student Union operatesThe 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 con-sists 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 inter-nal financial affairs of the Student Union and the

committees manage their own matters. The Com-mittee for Development Cooperation, for exam-ple, is mainly in charge of the operations related to development cooperation all the way to project management.

HYY also engages in significant business op-erations, the direction of which is decided by the students. This is explained later in this Freshman Guide.

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. Next time, the elections take place in the autumn of 2014. If you want to have effect on how the Student Union 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 Repre-sentative 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 or-ganises.

In the Representative Council elections, candi-dates are mainly set 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 elec-tions. If none of the existing coalitions pleases you, you can set up an electoral alliance yourself.

Page 13: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

11

HYY’s operations are funded by membership fees paid by students and profits from the Student Union’s business operations. The Student Union has founded HYY Group for its business operations. HYY’s property began to accrue in 1858 when the recently established Student Union acquired a plot for its own student house. Over the years, HYY has constructed business premises on the plot in addition to HYY’s own student houses. Profit from business operations is used for fund-ing organisational activities and students’ inter-est representation. Today, HYY also engages in responsible investment operations, which are expected to become the other cornerstone of the student union finances in the future. In addition, HYY Group provides services primarily for stu-dents and the wider academic community.

HYY Group strongly supports corporate re-sponsibility. Responsible business operations in-clude responsibility for the environment, custom-ers, personnel, cultural heritage and the economy.

Today, the Group’s annual distribution of profit to HYY is approximately two million euro a year.

Student Union CompaniesGaudeamus Helsinki University Press is Finland’s largest academic scientific publisher. Gaudeamus publishes scientifically uncompromising but eas-ily readable books in the fields of social sciences, philosophy, culture, environment, technology and economy. The books become familiar to many stu-dents during their study years. www.gaudeamus.fi

UniCafe provides student meals and cafeteria services in 19 student restaurants and four cafés on four campuses. Additionally, its operations in-clude four festive restaurants: Old Student House, Restaurant Domus, Viola and Gustus & Vera.

UniCafe was among the first organisers of stu-dent meals in Finland and just like back then, stu-dents can continue to have influence on student meals provided in our restaurants. During the summer, HYY Group also manages Hostel Aca-demica which operates at Domus in the summer.www.unicafe.fi and www.hostelacademica.fi.

The Group’s profit, which is distributed to HYY, mainly comes from the rental income of Kaivopiha premises (Kaivotalo Building, New Student House, Hansatalo Building and Citytalo Building). The premises include offices, restau-rants and stores.

In addition, HYY Real Estate includes Domus property and other individual properties. www.hyykiinteistöt.fi.

During its history, HYY has managed a cine-ma and a cultural centre, engaged in development aid business and acted in many other fields.

Corporate governance of business When business operations expanded from the 1970s onwards, the Student Union made a decision that professional executives would be recruited to lead business operations. Professional executives would engage in profitable business operations on behalf of students, whereas students would define the major policies of business operations, which takes place in the corporation boards, the Student Union Board and Representative Council. Students are the majority in the boards of the larg-est companies. In addition, expert members, who know the industry well, are involved.

– student-owned business

Page 14: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

12

You can’t learn everything from books

In addition to hours spent on exams, lec-tures and the screen, study years are much more than that. Hundreds of organisa-

tions operating within the Student Union provide these other experiences and form an excellent counterbalance to studies. From this wide range, it is easy to find your own ones and organisational activities may teach you more than spending the same amount of time with books. Even many faculties recog-nise the value of organisational activities and allocate credits included in the degree.

Student nations

Subject organisations

Other organisations

Political organisations

Cultural organisations

Social organisations

Sports organisations

Religious organisations

Other

Members: 27217Members: 11202

Members: 4229

Page 15: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

13

SUBJECT ORGANISATIONS

STUDENTNATIONS

OTHERORGANISATIONS

Excursions and trips

Study circles

People in the same field from different age groups

Contacts with the faculty

Fiddling around with issues in your own field

Interest representation

People from the same region

Summer trips to provinces

Weekly coffee breaks and friends

Alumni activities (student nations call these senior activities, don’t be fooled by the word!) Interdisciplinary activities

and plenty of students from other fields

Clubs and committees

Fiddling around with folklore

Sports, culture, politics, social in-fluencing, games and things to do...

Fiddling around a specific topic

It is easy to establish a new organisation!

Page 16: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

14

Activities – Organisation world in figures

Number of student union members: 28 200

Organisation members: 40 200

Number of square metres of organisational facilities provided by HYY:2551,5 m2, corresponds to 9,78 tennis fields

40%

35%

30%

25%

20%

15%

10%

5%

0%

Organisational events categorised by the number of participants 2012:5-24 participants: 6 249

25-99 participants: 1 623

More than 100 participants: 331

5-24 25-99 >100

6249

1623

331

Number of organisational magazines published with HYY’s support : 262 issues

Utilisation rate of meeting facilities in the year of 2012: 53%

47 %53 %

year 1 2 3 4 5 6 or more

Share of active organisation members categorised by the year of studies:

Page 17: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

15

DOMUS GAUDIUMConstruction year: 2008

1102 m2 in the Student Union’s use, 2836 m2 in other useFun fact: The cycling club operates in the base-

ment garage of the building

Number of events arranged by organisations (parties, seated meals, meetings etc.) 2012: 1303

The highest possible number of stairs from the front door to organisational facilities: 0

0,31 m2 of organisational facilities per organisation member 2012

Construction year: 1910

2337 m2 in the Student Union’s use, 5255 m2

in other useFun fact: Students who celebrated at the stu-

dent 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.

Number of events arranged by organisations (parties, seated meals, meetings etc.) 2012: 4317

A total of 1296 m2 of organisational facilities, corresponds to 4,97 tennis fields

The highest possible number of stairs from the front door to organisational facilities: 160

NEW STUDENT HOUSE

A total of 733 m2 of organisational facili-ties, corresponds to 2,81 tennis fields

1m

1m

Square metres of organisational facilities per organisation member 2012: 0,07 m2

1m

1m

0

160

Sources: - OTUS (2013): Mitä järjestötoiminnasta seuraa? - Aalto-

yliopiston ja Helsingin yliopiston opiskelijoiden kokemuk-

sia järjestötoiminnasta opiskelijabarometrin aineistossa.

- HYY’s organisation database TAHLO

- Facility usage survey for HYY’s organisations 2013

- HYY’s facility reservation calendar

Page 18: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

18

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.

Activities for university students

Page 19: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

17

OPENING CARNIVAL TAKES OVER THE STREETS ON 2 SEPTWhat will the University and the Student Union look like in the coming academic year? HYY and the University will join forces and organise a car-nival together for everyone on the City Centre Campus. Get involved: explore a variety of or-ganisations, participate in diverse activities and enjoy fun events!

GET TO KNOW YOUR STUDENT UNION ON HYY TOURS What is the Old Student House, where is the cen-tral office located, what is that statue over there in the corner? Tours for freshman groups will be organised in the early autumn. On the tours, you can explore the student houses, hear funny sto-ries about the history of university students and current activities, and get to see exciting strange things that are are hidden in the Student Union.

EXPERIENCE THE ANNIVERSARY WEEK AND THE ANNIVERSARY PARTYIn the anniversary week, there is something hap-pening all the time! 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, dis-counts and things to do. The event-filled week culminates in the 145th anniversary of the Stu-dent Union organised in the form of an academic seated meal at the Old Student House.

PARTICIPATE IN TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION ON THE INDEPENDENCE DAYUniversity students with their torches celebrate the Independence Day by marching from Hie- taniemi to the Senate Square. Thousands of stu-dents come to this great gathering every year, why don’t you join as well?

GRAB YOUR SLED AND GO TO ULLANLINNAN-MÄKI ON 4 MARCHNow you can sled to your heart’s content! In Feb-ruary, thousands of students get their sleds out and head to Shrovetide celebrations at Ullanlin-nanmäki. In the evening, our sister student union AYY organises the Gravitation party.

MAY DAY – USE YOUR STUDENT CAP AS A BUB-BLY 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 Amanda Statue, which will be carried out by HYY in the coming May Day. 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 tradition-ally gather in Kaisaniemi Park.

On your freshman May Day, you can only live once – so make the most of it!

FLOWER DAY ON 13 MAYThe last big party of the spring, Flower Day, is held on 13 May. Traditionally, the day has been celebrated in Kumtähti Field, but for the first time in 2013 the party was transferred to the students’ back yard, Kaivopiha. Anything can happen at the party, and the next year will show how Flow-er Day will look like in the year of 2014.

AND THAT IS NOT ALL

In addition to major parties and all the festiv-ities, HYY also organises other nice activities to light up the students’ everyday life. Follow the activities on HYY’s Facebook and web-site! And do not forget the events of various organisations.

COME ALONGWhat 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-kulttu-uri) and joining HYY kulttuuri fb group. From there, you will get information on ar-rangements and more information about how to get involved.

Page 20: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

OPENING OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR12 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 ser-vice in the Cathedral or a non-denominational ceremony in the National Library follows.

OPENING CARNEVAL

2 P.M. TO 6 P.M. at the City Centre Campus. The carnival includes music, dance, perfor-mances, beverages and snacks, presentations of different organisations, etc. Start your academic year in a carnival atmosphere!

OPENING PARTY20 P.M. TO 2 A.M. at the Old Student House (Vanha). Performers DON JOHNSON BIG BAND . Tickets in advance cost only 8 € for HYY members and are available at Cafe Vanha and the HYY stand at the carnival (normal price 12 €).

www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto – www.hyy.fi

Complete program available at: www.hyy.fi

OPENING DAY OF THEACADEMIC YEAR

2.9.2013

Page 21: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

19

YOU! You are a new member of the university student community, please remember to enjoy it! Wheth-er you are interested in films, music, art or anything else ranging from table football to card games.In addition to cultural and student parties organ-ised by HYY, a number of associations operate within the Student Union, where you can engage in playing, singing, theatre and films. Find your own association or establish a new one if you want.

Musical associations range from techno and heavy music lovers to numerous choirs, and from the live music association Helmut to Helsinki Symphonic Winds. Also remember HYY’s music corporations Akademiska Damkören Lyran, Aka-demiska Sångföreningen, YL Male Voice Choir and Helsinki University Symphony Orchestra.

HYY’s Film Club operates in the field of cin-ema and photography enthusiasts can join Yliop-

pilaskamerat photography club. The auditions of the legendary Ylioppilasteatteri student theatre are organised right at the beginning of the au-tumn.

In addition to cultural organisations, student nations and larger subject organisations have their own cultural activities varying from choirs to theatre groups and from film clubs to band re-hearsal rooms.

Don’t forget your old hobby or start a new one!

Discounts on cultural eventsBy showing your student card, you often receive discounts on cultural events in the metropolitan area. HYY also cooperates with many organisa-tions and therefore HYY’s members receive sig-nificant discounts at Love&Anarchy film festival, Ateneum Art Museum on Art for Us! day and in many more events and places.

Check out the discounts on HYY’s website and enjoy culture!

Speksi = interactive student theater with singing and dancing. The audience can also take part by shouting “omstart” (swedish for re-start) when they want a certain scene played again.

Singing and playing into student life

Page 22: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

20

I cannot recommend parties at Alina but you have to experience them. Several times. *

Dancing on the bar of ESO.

You can get pizza at EE Building at Unicafe Viikuna in Viikki on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. A good way to spend a collec-tive hangover with your fellow students! (And UniCafe also serves breakfast!)

Kertun Kepittäjäiset of law students - appro from Sörnäinen through the Kallio district to the city centre on Kerttu’s day in March.

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.

Spexes! Experience them all!

While waiting for the Student Theatre’s plays Representative Council I and II, 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!

Anniversary celebrations and herring break-fast in the following morning. Healthy? No. Funny? Yes.

A new Think Corner was opened in Portha-nia in June. A good pilgrimage place from other campuses.

Have you thought about entrepreneurship? No? Think again at Helsinki Think Company! Speakers often include Finnish and interna-tional top names and you never know which of the future’s top-notch companies will suck you in …

Older students’ tips for student life

* Alina-hall is a Party hall at the New

Student House.

Page 23: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

21

Are you a vegetarian? Have you thought about becoming one? Each UniCafe provides a student-priced 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).

It is just stupid to study too much.

Are yee from the country? So am ah! A stu-dent nation offers another home where you don’t forget your own dialect. Each student nation has their own kind of activities and fun stuff. Get involved and go crazy!

Use judgment in specific situations in certain lectures, and you may get away of reducing your sleep deprivation by resting your eyes and still pass the exam.

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

HYY is not the only student union in the met-ropolitan area! The youthful and raucous Aalto University Student Union AYY brings together approximately 15,000 students of arts, design, economics and technology. AYY organises major events, and just like in HYY, a large number of various organisations op-erate within AYY.

30 Sept 2013 - Lakinlaskijaiset eventTechnology students take off their student caps to winter rest in an epic party.

Shrove Tuesday, 3 March 2014 – Shrovetide celebrations at Ullanlinnanmäki and GravitaatioAYY organises common Shrovetide celebra-tions for students in the metropolitan area at Ullanlinnanmäki on Shrove Tuesday. The event includes informal sledding and the academic sledding competition. So you can start planning your winner device right now!

The official after party of Shrovetide celebra-tions, Gravitaatio, ends the day with wild celebration.

May Day – May Day of AYY and Otaniemi is the most frantic May Day in the whole Finland. Fill out your May Day calendar at wappu.fi.

Find more events at ayy.fi and follow AYY’s fa-cebook site at facebook.com/ylioppilaskunta.

Do you need something to do? Hundreds of different associations operate within AYY and anyone can join them. See more at ayy.fi/yhdistykset.

Do you need a place for your party? AYY has a lot of different types of sauna and fes-tive facilities that can be rented. Check out the facilities and booking situation at ayy.fi/tilojen-vuokraaminen

Is the grass greener on the other side?

Page 24: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

22

Overalls are the student’s 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. Dif-ferent 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.

Attaching the 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, sew-ing 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 sew-ing 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 fab-ric 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 double-sided 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 badg-es. 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.

Page 25: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

By enjoying the service at the UniCafe student res-taurants, Café Vanha and Gaudeamus Kirja & Kahvi you actually support the business you co-own.

The year 2013 is the 60th anniversary of HYY restaurant business. On the big day 13.9.2013 a special celebratory lunch will be served and coffee with cake will be on us! You are welcome to join the celebration!

More info at www.hyyravintolat.fi

Psst….The student calendar (Ylioppilas- kalenteri) contains a coffee coupon – cut it out and claim the offer!

Dip your spoon in your very own soup. As a member of HYY you are a co-owner of the HYY restau-rants. Welcome to enjoy your own restaurants.

I YOUwww.facebook.com/hyy.hus

LIKE HYYAND YOU’LL KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING

AT THE STUDENT UNION

Page 26: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

26

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

The University of Helsinki has its own UniS-port 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 shoul-ders and from gym training to badminton.

Most of the selection of UniSport is also suit-able for students who have not exercised previ-ously.

You can get the most versatile and inexpen-sive 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 or-ganised by a subject organisation, for example, is

an excellent opportunity to spend relaxing time together. Numerous sports clubs also operate at the University. www.unisport.fi

Exercise anywhereNational sports activities are coordinated by Finnish Student Sports Federation (OLL) which administers www.opiskelijaliikunta.fi website, among other things. The website provides in-formation on benefits, events, competitions, and sports and health in general.The website has in-formation about a student discount in major sports events.

Also remember that most of the private exer-cise facilities grant some kind of a discount, so it is always worth showing your student card. www.opiskelijaliikunta.fi

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.

Exercise in between lectures

COSTON UNI-LAKIT HELSINGIN YLIOPISTON VÄELLE JA YSTÄVILLE NYT TIEDEKULMASTA!

TUNNUSTA TIEDEKUNNAN VÄRIÄ TUPSULLA.

L KITA ITSESI!

WWW.HELSINKI.FI/TIEDEKULMA

TIEDEKULMA PORTHANIA, YLIOPISTONKATU 3, MA–TO 10–18, PE 10–17

TK_fuksiopas_176x70mm.indd 2 24.5.2013 8:10:13

Page 27: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

27

Food and coffee in students’ own UniCafes

Students can have inexpensive lunch in Uni-Cafes owned by the Student Union and oth-er 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 op-tion (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 compensa-tion. In this way, you can support the education of the young on the other side of the globe, for ex-ample. Another fair choices are organic products and development meals which support HYY’s de-velopment cooperation project.

Eating in UniCafes is popular and therefore many restaurants have queues between the lectures, be-tween 11.45am–12.15pm and 1.45pm–2.15pm. If possible, have your lunch break at a different time. However, the restaurants have many coun-ters and usually the queues move quickly.

IN KAIVOPIHA UNICAFE, YOU CAN ALSO HAVE A STUDENT-PRICED LUNCH ON SATURDAYS!

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

Page 28: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

26

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 pack-age of basic information on how to survive.

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.

Lyyra’s housing serviceYou can look for apartments or roommates through Lyyra’s web service. The service offers a wide range of rental apartments and also offers advice on making a rental agreement, for exam-ple. www.lyyra.fi

SUBSISTENCEA student’s primary source of income is student financial aid, which consists of the study grant, the housing supplement and the study loan guar-anteed 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 in-come limit.

Kela’s electronic services (www.kela.fi) are the most convenient way to apply for student finan-cial 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 finan-cial aid affects the income limits.www.kela.fi

HEALTHFinnish Student Health Service FSHS is responsi-ble for students’ health care. In addition to gener-al 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 there-fore you have to use municipal services in the eve-nings and weekends. Most of FSHS services are free for students. How-ever, FSHS charges a penalty fee for uncancelled appointments. www.yths.fi

PUBLIC TRANSPORTStudents registered in Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Kauniainen, Kerava, Kirkkonummi or Sipoo re-ceive a 50 per cent discount both on internal tick-ets 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 Mat-kahuolto. 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.

Student’s survival kit

Page 29: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

27

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

Study psychologistsStudy psychologists provide guidance to under-graduate and graduate students of the University of Helsinki who need support with issues concern-ing study skills, motivation, time management, coping or writing the thesis. Study psychologists offer both group and individual counselling. Further information: Flamma or [email protected].

University chaplainsTwo 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, tel-ephone or by coming to talk during their consul-tation 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 [email protected] Mäntylä (Kumpula and Viikki), tel. 050 591 9874, [email protected]

Nyyti, students’ support centreNyyti promotes the mental well-being of students, offers group activities and courses in the metro-politan 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 personsYou do not have to tolerate inappropriate behav-iour. 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. Con-tacts with harassment contact persons are confi-dential 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: [email protected]’s Equality Adviser: (09) 1912 4292, tasa-arvovastaava@helsinki

Students’ legal protectionStudents have their rights. In order to secure stu-dents’ legal protection, the University of Helsinki has enacted a regulation concerning the grading of studies and examinations. The regulation de-termines, among other things, the language of examinations, required examination literature, examination arrangements, disturbance and fraud in examinations, the grading of completed stud-ies and the publication of results, the rectification procedure of grading, the legal protection com-mittee and the registration of completed credits. There are more precise instructions concerning plagiarism. Students’ legal protection is also en-acted 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 under-stand, you can ask for advice over the phone. Further information on students’ legal protection:www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto/hakemisto > Johtosään-nöt HYY’s specialists in academic affairs Study counsellors in faculties and the head of aca-demic affairs/student affairs secretaries

HYY’s Antoisampaan opiskeluun guideHYY 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 learn-ing skills.

Legal assistanceThe 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, [email protected]

SUPPORT AND HELP

Page 30: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

28

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 are all issues which student representatives may have ef-fect on. Hundreds of active students are involved in the university’s administrative organs.

How can you have influence? You can have effect on minor issues by giving feedback directly to the person attending to the issue. Departments collect feedback about their teaching, for example.

More comprehensive issues are influenced through the university administration. Department councils, faculty councils and university adminis-tration also include student representatives. You should contact them immediately if you notice that course arrangements, for example, do not work as they should. Naturally, you can also run as a can-didate for the position of a student representative.

Student union and student representatives represent youThe Student Union closely follows the University’s daily life and is involved in the decision making of the University Board and the various committees through the representatives which it has appoint-ed. The Student Union also keeps in touch with

other student representatives in administration, the University’s management and representatives. Student representatives at all levels of administra-tion act in their position for you.

A representative cannot guess or invent all the needs and shortcomings, and therefore your feed-back and ideas are needed. Contact information of the representatives is usually available on the website or the intranet of the unit.

Join the activitiesIf 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 elec-tions, the next elections will be conducted in the autumn of 2013. In addition, positions are com-pleted during the year if necessary. E-mail list of your subject organisation always provides infor-mation about open positions. Previous experience is not required from applicants, so you should al-ways apply if you are interested in the topic!

Further information on university administra-tion is available from student representatives in administration, subject or faculty organisation, faculty offices and the Student Union. You can al-so participate in the development of teaching and other operations of the University in the Student Union’s Committee for Academic Affairs.

Students are involved in university administration

The faculty is managed by a faculty

council led by a dean. The faculty coun-

cil decides on degree requirement, ap-

proving of theses and the development

of teaching and operations at the fac-

ulty. Some faculties are divided into de-

partments. The department council

and the director of the department

manage the administration of the de-

partment. The departmental level is the

closest to students and many decisions

which are directly visible in the stu-

dent’s daily life are made on that level.

Professors, other staff members and

students are represented in faculty

councils and department councils.

The University’s highest decision-mak-

ing organ is the Board. Its duties in-

clude, among other things, deciding on

the long-term development of the Uni-

versity, University’s budget, appointing

the University’s rector and drafting the

most important statements of the Uni-

versity. The Board of the University of

Helsinki has been previously called the

senate. The University Collegium su-

pervises the operations of the Univer-

sity Board. Its duties include deciding

on the approval of the University’s fi-

nancial statement, the number of

board members and their term, and

discussing important affairs which con-

cern the whole University.

Come along!Committee for Academic Affairs

In addition to issues related to

teaching, studies and their support

services, matters related to univer-

sity administration are key issues

in the committee.

The ladder of the university administration

TAKE OVER THEUNIVERSITY

– become a student representative in administration!

Student representatives in administration are elected in connection with the University’s administrative elections

on 4.–5. Nov 2013. The nomination of candidates will end at 12noon on 22 Oct 2013.

Are you interested?Please contact the person in charge of the elections in your own faculty:

www.hyy.fi/hallintovaalit

Page 31: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

31

TAKE OVER THEUNIVERSITY

– become a student representative in administration!

Student representatives in administration are elected in connection with the University’s administrative elections

on 4.–5. Nov 2013. The nomination of candidates will end at 12noon on 22 Oct 2013.

Are you interested?Please contact the person in charge of the elections in your own faculty:

www.hyy.fi/hallintovaalit

Page 32: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

Did you know that you already have your own development cooperation project? As a member of HYY, you are involved in

promoting a good cause! Since 2008, HYY has used 0.7 per cent of its budget for development cooperation. Finland is committed to increase de-velopment aid to the level recommended by the UN 0.7 per cent of gross national income by 2015 and HYY aims at setting an example. In 2013, the amount is EUR 24,200 and 11,000 of this amount is granted to development cooperation projects of small organisations during a separate project fund application period.

HYY supports women’s and girls’ reproductive and sexual rights in Zambia as well as sustainable agriculture project in Indonesia in collaboration with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

During the years 2013–2015, HYY supports the three-year development cooperation projects of Indonesian organisation Payo-Payo Foun-dation. Payo-Payo is an organisation of young farmers and students promoting sustainable agri-culture. The project aimes at improving food secu-rity and and developing sustainable agriculture in three villages in southern and western Sulawesi. 85 % of the project funds are granted by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the excess share of 15 % was covered by HYY’s 0.7 % budget.

In the years 2007–2010, HYY cooperated with the eastern Zambian umbrella organisation for women’s organisations, Eastern Province Wom-en Development Association (EPWDA) in order to improve legal rights of women and girls. The follow-up project is in progress in the years 2011–2013. EPWDA supports women’s empowerment in rural areas in Eastern Zambia, and the follow-up project focuses on reproductive and sexual rights. In Eastern Zambia, teenage pregnancies are common, women and girls are particularly

vulnerable to HIV infection, and maternal and infant mortality rates are relatively high. In addi-tion, one woman often has several children at fre-quent intervals, which reduces the mother’s health and for its part lowers a child’s ability to survive the first years. The project trains reproduction and sexual rights educators, who will teach the learned information to remote areas in the form of workshops.

The Zambia project receives 85 % of its fund-ing from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the rest are covered with volunteer work, volunteer development cooperation fees paid in connection with the academic year reg-istration and Zambia days organised in UniCafe student restaurants twice a year. Various develop-ment cooperation meals have been organised in student restaurants already since 1979 and on Zambia Day students can support the project by purchasing the Zambia Meal at UniCafe or by do-nating any amount to the project. Those who are interested in the project are warmly welcome to participate in the meetings of the project group.HYY’s development cooperation funds are coor-dinated by the Development Cooperation Coordi-nator. The Development Cooperation committee also annually publishes Kimppu magazine which focuses on development cooperation issues. The magazine is published with the support of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The committee also promotes the discussion on developing country is-sues at the university during the annually organ-ised development cooperation week, among other things. In the autumn of 2012, the development cooperation week will be coordinated by the Na-tional Union of University Students in Finland in several university cities. Further information on the committee activities is available on the web-site: blogs.helsinki.fi/kehy-valiokunta.

For a better tomorrow in Zambia and Indonesia

development cooperation project and organises excur-

sions, the Kehy week in spring with its various events and

single public events, among other things.

Come along!Committee for Development Cooperation aims at creating

interest in developing countries among the Student Union

members and providing practical experience in the devel-

opment cooperation. The committee is in charge of HYY’s

30

Page 33: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

31

At the moment, the word ‘environment’ is much related to anxiety and fear due to ocean garbage patches, deterioration of bi-

odiversity, and the progress of climate change and the consequent more frequent extreme events. The Student Union has a number of ways to overcome the students’ despair over bad news.

The Student Union’s environmental activities are guided by the environmental programme pre-pared for the period 2010-2015. The purpose of the programme is to support HYY, the organisa-tions within the Student Union and its partners to operate with a minimal environmental footprint. HYY wants to show others how large and diverse activities can take place without trampling on the flourishing opportunities of the environment.

The aim of HYY’s Committee for Environmen-tal Affairs is to increase environmental awareness and ecological sustainability of activities both at the University and in the Student Union. The committee activities include brainstorming, meet-ings and activities. In recent years, the Committee has been actively involved in WWF’s Earth Hour campaign, it has sent letters to student restaurants concerning greater environmental accountability, collected postcards for Burning Issue campaign and organised visits to a variety of environmen-tal projects. In the Committee, you are free to fall apart over the fact that nobody understands, and you will certainly get peer support! This au-tumn, the Committee for Environmental Affairs

is involved in organising a major climate event, Helsinki Climate Forum. The event will include inspiring and knowledgeable speakers from Fin-land and elsewhere in the world, workshop activi-ties and getting to know people who share your climate concern.

Want to join in? Go to http://blogs.helsinki.f/hyy-ymp and join our mailing list! For further infor-mation, please see our website or contact the chair of the committee and the board member responsible for environmental issues.

It is also possible to relieve your world-weariness by participating in the environmental organisa-tions that operate within HYY. Whether you are interested in animal rights, the progress of the cli-mate act or a little bit of everything, there is defi-nitely a place to your liking among HYY’s organi-sations. HYY’s environmental organisations can be found in the Organisations section on HYY’s website.

When things do not go as they should, when you are no longer bothered to explain recycling to the old lady next door and you need peer sup-port and new enthusiasm for implementing envi-ronmental affairs, please remember that help is at hand – the Committee for Environmental Affairs and the environmental organisations provide a supporting shoulder and so many new ideas that you do not even know where to begin. The Com-mittee and organisations offer therapy sessions that are cheaper than a psychologist.

The Student Union and the environment

Page 34: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

Equality concerns all of us. Equality does not mean that everyone should be treated in the same way. Equality is about creating equal

opportunities and a sense of belonging for every-one, regardless of their background. Student com-munity is for all of us.

Disruptive behaviour does not need to be tolerat-ed. Did you know that HYY has two trained har-assment contact persons who can provide advice and support. They can be contacted at [email protected]. Harassment contact persons have a duty of confidentiality.

Have you ever thought about the following?

”Why does he not get drunk?”It is your own choice not to drink alcohol and you do not need a specific reason for that. Parties are always about more than just drinking.

Barrier-free participation!Try to find accessible facilities for your evening entertainment. Participants may include people with children and strollers or a person in a wheel-chair.

In English, please Keep the international students in mind when planning activities. Make sure that language bar-riers do not prevent participation.

”She always puts out!”You have the right to keep some things to your-self. Talk may be sexual harassment as well.

Jake or Jane?We are a diverse group: all people do not neces-sarily identify themselves with their biological sex and not all of us are straight. Please make sure that the rainbow nation can feel safe in events.

“Come along, we need you!”Make sure that inner circles are not formed. In a functioning community, everyone can feel wel-come, even if they are only rarely involved.

”Is he a Commie or what?”Everyone is entitled to their own political and ideological beliefs.

Women do dishes, men carry heavy stuffDoes your community have women’s and men’s duties? You might drift into traditional gender roles without even noticing.

Equal student life

Page 35: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

35

Helsinki Think Company is a meeting place in the city centre for a new kind of entrepreneurship where students, researchers, entrepreneurs and people interested in entrepreneur- ship can connect and form networks. Think Co. is a community space for working and organising events, offering support from developing a business idea to finding the right contacts.Welcome!

HELSINKI THINK COMPANYWWW.HELSINKITHINKCOMPANY.FI VUORIKATU 5 MON–FRI FROM 10 A.M. TO 6 P.M.

HTC_70x146mm_en.indd 1 5.6.2013 9:23:21

Page 36: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

36

Building a common unionThe 145-year history of the Stu-dent Union includes construc-tion projects, political turmoil and reflections of structural changes in society.

Page 37: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

35

The University moved to Helsinki in 1828 af-ter 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 Acade-my and it remained slightly changed in Helsinki. In the early years, university students gathered at the University or in teachers’ homes. However, the stu-dents 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.

A plan of the student houseOn 15 March 1858, about three hundred univer-sity 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, gener-al student meetings were legalised.

The student house (nowadays the Old Student House) was partly financed with donated and col-lected funds and partly with debt. The inaugura-tion 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 Stu-dent Union had to collect an additional fee from university students during the following four aca-demic terms. After the turn of the century, the Stu-dent House premises proved 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 Stu-dent Union began to promote the Student Nation House (nowadays the New Student House) which was built beside the Student House in 1910. The inauguration date is 26 November.

Building of the organisationDue 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 na-tions could annually appoint two members to the committee. Since 1880, university students have

Page 38: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

36

been legally allowed to convene in general meet-ings as a corporation. A management committee, the Board, was appointed for administrative af-fairs. The Student Union became an organisation, the Student Union of Finland, which unified stu-dents who were divided into student nations. After the operations of the National Union of the Uni-versity 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 de-cided in general meetings but in 1932, decision making was transferred to the Representative Council of sixty members elected through the elec-tions. The immediate administration of the corpo-ration was carried out by the Board and its subsid-iary committees as well as separately hired officials, such as librarians and treasurers.

Political activities in the 20th centuryIn the 1920s and the 1930s, the student union ac-tivities 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 be-came more common and there was severe lack of housing for university students. For students, the 1950s was an era of opportunities and ideals. Ra-tioning and reconstruction after the war were fin-ished. 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 internationali-sation. The Left, however, never reached the ma-jority in the Representative Council. Finnish stu-dents 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.

Page 39: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

HUS personnel

Katri KorolainenSecretary Generalc 0400 816 [email protected]

Merja ViitasaloChief Financial Officerc 050 534 [email protected]

Anne Rautanen Specialist (higher education policy and the development of teaching)c 050 543 [email protected]

Janne LardotSpecialist (higher education policy and university adminis-tration)c 050 543 [email protected]

Lauri JurvanenSpecialist (housing, health, city)c 050 543 [email protected]

Katja LångvikSpecialist (subsistence, inter-national students, equality)c 050 543 [email protected]

Akseli HuhtanenSpecialist (organisations)c 050 537 [email protected]

Pipsa PenttinenSpecialist-Producer (culture) c 050 537 [email protected]

Jenni HeikkinenCommunications Officer c 050 543 [email protected]

Emil Wikström Art Director, Non-miltary servicec 050 534 [email protected]

Archives

Jari EerolaArchivistc 050 534 [email protected]

Member Service Office

Member- and Organizational-services

tService hours: www.hyy.fi – Contact information

Tiina KääriäOffice Secretary, Organisational Servicesc 050 551 [email protected]

Jeena VesivaloOffice Secretary, HYY Documentsc 050 432 [email protected]

Nova KhalafOffice Secretary,Organisational Servicesc 050 551 [email protected]

Childcare

Marika DolivoChildminderc 050 303 [email protected]

HYY Freshman Guide 2013

tEditorial staff: Jenni Heikkinen, Jari Eerola (histo-ry). We thank all who took part in revising the information.

tLayout and design: Emil Wikström tPhotos: Emil Wikström, Niko Metsälä (p.20), Oscar

Hagen (p.16) och Tero Silvast (p.9) tPrinted in: Painojussit Oy, Kerava tPublisher: Student Union of the University of

Helsinki

tStreet adress: Mannerheimintie 5 A, 2. krs, 00100 Helsinki, Postal adress: PL 1099, 00101 Helsinki

tStudent Union of the University of Helsinki tMannerheimintie 5 A (2. krs) PL 1099,

00101 Helsinki t [email protected] twww.hyy.fi

Contact Information

Page 40: HYY's Freshmanguide 2013

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

Congratulations, new owner!

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

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!

Responsibility forms a link

between a variety of operations

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


Recommended