HYY actively works to ensure that there is no discrimination, harassment, racism or other inappropriate treatment in the Student Union. HYY must be a safe space for everyone.
Equality means that all human beings are equal regardless of any personal reasons or characteristics, which include gender, age, ethnic and national origin, nationality, language, religion and belief, opinion, disability, health and sexual orientation. Equality is one of the values of our Student Union.
Our key steering documents related to equality are the Equality Plan and the Policy Paper. The Equality Plan guides our internal operation in relation to organisations operating under us, for instance. The Policy Paper, on the other hand, describes our policies as relevant to the advocacy work we conduct towards the University and society.
We support the organisations operating under us and encourage them to take equality into account as well as create a safer atmosphere for all students. Organisations’ activities may not conflict with our Equality Plan. We organise training events annually on different aspects of equality and have also drafted equality instructions for organisations. Organisations can also borrow a portable induction loop.
Unfortunately, not all of HYY’s buildings are currently accessible. A lift will be built in the New Student House in the near future. Domus Gaudium in Kauppi is accessible and features organisational premises, meeting premises and attic sauna Sivistys. Further information on the accessibility of our premises is available here.
HYY’s principles of safer space apply to our activities and events. With our principles, we aim to create practices that help everyone promote a safer and more equal environment.
The Student Union has two harassment contact persons who support students who have encountered harassment, bullying, discrimination or any other kind of inappropriate treatment. Any contacts with the harassment contact persons are entirely confidential. If you prefer, the matter will remain between you and the harassment contact persons.
Harassment contact persons do not act as judges in any situation nor do they hand out punishments but rather offer advice on how to address the situation and support you in the process. The harassment contact persons can also direct you to other services if needed.
Harassment contact persons also offer advice to organisations which operate under HYY. If the organisation does not have harassment contact persons of their own, they can inform their members about HYY’s harassment contact persons. It is also a good idea to always deal with more difficult cases together with them.
You can reach both harassment contact persons by email at hairintayhdyshenkilo@hyy.fi
Tiia Niemi, tiia.niemi@hyy.fi, 050 543 9608
Janne Kajander, janne.kajander@hyy.fi, 050 543 9609
If the person harassing you is a staff member at the University, you can also contact the University’s harassment contact persons:
Timo Valtonen, timo.valtonen@helsinki.fi
Terhi Somerkallio, terhi.somerkallio@helsinki.fi
The key equality actor at the University of Helsinki is the Equality and Diversity Committee. The composition of the committee includes the vice rector in charge of equality, the University’s equality advisor and two student representatives. The committee is in charge of promoting equality at the University through the University’s Equality and Diversity Plan, for instance. Do not hesitate to contact members of the committee if you want to influence the realisation of equality at the University!
The accessibility of studies is supported by individual arrangements – practical arrangements used to facilitate smooth study progress. You may require such arrangements due to dyslexia or a sensory disability, for instance. The realisation of the arrangements is determined based on your situation and needs. The arrangements may entail, for instance, receiving lecture material in advance, additional time for returning an assignment or an alternative completion method.
There are both equality and accessibility liaisons operating at the University. You can contact them on a low threshold on any matters related to equality or accessibility, and their contact details can be found here.