25.6.2019

Become a student representative in the Academic Appeals Board of the University of Helsinki!

Do you think students’ legal protection at the university has room for improvement?
Do you want to secure your fellow students’ rights and gain experience in university administration and decision-making?

According to the university’s Regulations on Degrees and the Protection of Students’ Rights, the University of Helsinki has an Academic Appeals Board appointed by the rector. The Board’s tasks include considering the appeals related to grading as well as taking initiatives and issuing statements for the development of the protection of students’ rights. The working language of the Board is Finnish. You can find more information about the Board in the Sections 57–60 of the Regulations on Degrees and the Protection of Students’ rights.

We are now looking for two members and two vice members for the Academic Appeals Board for the term 1 August 2019–31 July 2021.

Interested? Send a short, motivated application through www.halloped.fi by noon on Thursday 8 August 2018. The Student Union hopes to see applicants from as diverse backgrounds as possible. The following are considered as advantages: 1) motivation to serve in the position, 2) interest in and ideas to develop the protection of students’ rights at the university, 3) experience as a student representative or study advisor or from other student advocacy work.

For more information about the position, contact Specialist Jenna Sorjonen, 0503255202, jenna.sorjonen(at)helsinki.fi (away from work 1 July – 4 August).

What are student representatives?

Student representation in university administration is an important principle of the Finnish higher education institutions. In all administrative bodies professors, other staff and students are all equally represented, which ensures decision-making that takes into account the points of view of all instances involved in the issues being discussed.

Student representatives do not receive a salary, but work on a voluntary basis. Depending on the body in question, meetings can be held from a few times a year to monthly. In addition to attending the meetings, student representatives are expected to familiarise themselves with the documents beforehand, and keep in touch with the students they represent, as well as the other student representatives through personal contacts or student organisations. The student representatives themselves gain important experience of university administration. In addition, having acted as a student representative in university administration can also be an advantage when seeking employment.

Most university administrative bodies currently work in Finnish. English may be accepted as a working language, but most documents will be in Finnish, so a basic command of the language is advisable.