Student Union

6.3.2014

Violent situation in Otaniemi on Wednesday, 5 March

Professor Esa Saarinen was attacked in front of Dipoli in Otaniemi on Wednesday, 5 March. The police were called to the scene and the suspect has been arrested by the police. Professor Saarinen was taken to the hospital and his life is not in danger.

Due to the situation, crisis support is available at FSHS. A debriefing session will be organised for the students and staff. The date will be announced later. Please follow the University’s communications at Into and Inside.

Further information:

Aalto University’s Head of Communications Eeva Lehtinen, tel. 050 321 7034
Aalto University’s Head of Communications Eveliina Olsson, tel. 050 598 6492

5.3.2014

Lost property stored at Otaniemi Service Point to be disposed of on 17 March

Press releases Leave a comment

Have you lost something? Otaniemi Service Point has stored lost property saved from various events (mainly organised in Otaniemi). Lost property includes coats, backpacks, overalls, tailcoat, gloves, woolly hats, song books, car keys, etc. Please come and pick up your property immediately.

Uncollected lost property, which is currently stored, will be disposed of on Monday, 17 Mar 2014.

On Monday, 17 March, useful goods will be delivered to Otaniemi Recycling Centre and valuable goods (car keys, jewellery, etc.) will be delivered to Espoo Police Station. Dirty and broken goods will be placed in the bin.

In the future, you can inquire lost property from Otaniemi Service Point for two weeks after the event in question.

28.2.2014

Student union’s statement concerning university funding

Statements and Contentions, Student Union, Trusteeship Leave a comment

Aalto University Student Union (AYY) has made a statement concerning university funding model. In the statement the student union encourages the Ministry of Education and Culture to integrate student feedback in the funding model. In addition student union states its concern about indicators measuring efficiency and quality being unequally balanced in favor of the efficiency indicators.

If you are interested, ask student union’s specialist for academic affairs for details.

27.2.2014

National student feedback survey commences again

Educational Policy Leave a comment

The students who completed a bachelor’s degree at Aalto University during 1.8. – 31.12.2013 are invited to participate in the student feedback survey in the beginning of March. The survey is to be conducted in all Finnish universities twice a year, and this autumn the survey will be held from 3 to 21 March. The survey can be answered online and a link will be sent by email to the graduates.

From 2015 onwards, the Ministry of Education and Culture is planning to distribute annually 3% (approx. € 50 million) of university core funding based on student feedback. In addition to the direct financial impact that the survey has, Aalto University will use the results of the feedback to develop education and support services for education.

The harmonised collection of student feedback from all universities meets the desire of student organisations for a national feedback process, which can be used to spur universities to make investments in the quality of education.

The survey was implemented twice last year. The results of the surveys reveal that students at Aalto University value the opportunity to study abroad and believe that international experience is very important for their career after graduation. Students at Aalto University are also likely to work during their studies and their work is usually related to their field of study. Furthermore, according to the survey there is need for improvement in interaction between students and faculty.

The universities have decided to implement the feedback survey as an outsourced service. As the result of competitive bidding, the German company CHE Consult GmbH has been selected to be the service provider. The survey produced by this international company also presents the opportunity for Finnish universities to be compared at a European level.

For further information: contact Aalto University’s Development Specialist Reetta Koivisto, (reetta.koivisto@aalto.fi)

See the report of the previous survey: https://into.aalto.fi/display/enaalto/Results+of+the+second+national+student+feedback+survey+available

Also see further information about the project at the Universities Finland (UNIFI) website: http://unifi.fi/ajankohtaista/YOPALA.html

21.2.2014

Hearing of the property dispute between AYY and KY foundation in the district court ends today

Press releases, Property Issue Leave a comment

RELEASE, 21 FEB 2014
AYY
For immediate release

The hearing of the property dispute between Aalto University Student Union (AYY) and KY Foundation in Helsinki District Court will end today. On the seven hearing days, an immense amount of written evidence material of the parties were processed and 16 witnesses were heard.

”Over the past two weeks, it has been proved, among other things, that the Student Union of the School of Economics (KY) tried to prevent KY members’ appeals related to the project and KY clearly used the Senior Guild as an intermediary when establishing the foundation”, says Chairperson of AYY Board Lauri Lehtoruusu.

In their closing statements today, both parties will present their own views once again in the light of the processed materials and oral testimonies.

The property dispute has been previously addressed in the Administrative Court. However, the decision on whether the property transfer and its preparation was conducted in accordance with the law and good practices falls within the scope of civil law. ”The past two weeks in the District Court have further confirmed our view that the judicial process is ncessary. There are so many unclear issues related to the preparation of the property transfer”, says Lehtoruusu.

AYY hopes that the property dispute can be finally solved in the District Court and the donated funds would be returned to the use of the current and future members of the student union.

The District Court’s judgment on the property dispute is expected no later than during the summer.

Further information:
Chairperson of AYY Board Lauri Lehtoruusu, lauri.lehtoruusu@ayy.fi, 050 520 9420
Secretary General Janne Koskenniemi, janne.koskenniemi@ayy.fi, 050 520 9415

ayy.fi/omaisuuskiista

17.2.2014

Sano se suomeksi! campaign at Aalto University 13.1.-14.3.2014

International Affairs Leave a comment

International student,

do you want to improve your Finnish language skills? Wish you had more opportunities to use Finnish? Aalto University’s Sano se suomeksi! campaign, starting on 13 January is just the thing for you! It gives you the chance to practice Finnish in everyday situations and makes learning Finnish fun.

How can you take part in the campaign?
Pick up a “Finnish passport” from the Aalto Language Centre, from an AYY service point or from the Student Services Office of any Aalto School. Use Finnish in everyday situations at the University and ask the staff to sign your passport with their name as well as the date and place where you used Finnish. Return the passport(s) to the Language Centre or to the Student Services office of your School by 14 March 2014. Five students who collect the most signatures will win small prizes. In addition, a lottery will be organized among all participants who collect at least ten signatures.

Where can you use Finnish and collect signatures for your passport?

Student restaurants and cafeterias
University libraries
Student Services Offices
AYY service points and KY office
From guild and other student organization officials
Teachers etc.

For a complete list and more information, please visit www.facebook.com/SanoSeSuomeksiAtAalto. The campaign is organized by the Aalto University Language Centre, the AYY and the Aalto University Schools.