Is there a lack of student representatives in your degree programme? Join the steering group yourself!
Are you interested in what kind of teaching is organised in your degree programme? This is your chance to influence matters! The Student Union of the University of Helsinki is looking for student representatives for the term 1 January 2021–31 December 2022 to some degree programmes’ steering groups. At the end of this page, you can find a list of degree programmes with remaining open positions.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
Each degree programme at the University of Helsinki has a steering group that supports the director of the degree programme and processes the central issues related to the degree programme’s operation. Two actual and two vice members represent students in each steering group.
The preparation of the curriculum and deciding on the annual teaching schedule are particularly important issues for students to influence: steering groups define the framework for what courses are taught in the schedule, which studies are compulsory for everyone, how much optional studies can be included in degrees, what kind of study material and teaching methods are used on courses and what methods to complete courses each course has. In addition to this, steering groups process issues related to student admissions in the degree programme and the use of teaching and facility resources, for instance.
As a member of the steering group, you will get to influence the teaching provided in the degree programme and make students’ voice heard while also forming useful networks. You can also get credits for acting in the steering group.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES?
Student members of the steering groups of degree programmes act as the students’ voice in the University’s decision-making processes. There are only two requirements: you must be registered for attendance at the University of Helsinki and you must have a justified connection to the degree programme whose steering group you are applying for (e.g. a study right or the intention to complete studies in the programme).
No special skills are required – having the desire to learn and the motivation to act as a student representative is of primary importance. Thoroughly reading the meeting material before the meeting, asking for the opinions of – depending on the situation – either your fellow students or subject organisation on the issues on the meeting agenda and speaking up at the meeting itself are quite enough to be successful in the position. The Student Union also trains the selected student representatives in administration and provides support and its expertise for their work in University administration.
HOW DO I APPLY TO BECOME A STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE?
Applications should be submitted at beta.halloped.fi by 6 December 2020.
The application should clearly indicate your experience as relevant to the position, your motivation and your current major and/or degree programme and study orientation. If you do not currently have a study right in the programme whose steering group you are applying for, please also justify your connection to the programme in your application. The Student Union considers the following as advantages:
- Motivation and commitment to serve in the position
- Previous experience of acting as a student representative in administration, as a study advisor or in some other position related to student advocacy work
- Connection to the students of the degree programme, readiness to communicate to them about the work of the steering group and readiness to chart and represent students’ views on the development of the degree programme.
The Student Union hopes to see applications from representatives of different genders and people in different stages of their studies from diverse backgrounds. We assume you to be available for the positions of both an actual member and a vice member. The Student Union strives to consider different disciplines’ representation when making the selections.
Further information on acting in the steering group of a degree programme and the call for applications is given by
Jenna Sorjonen
Specialist for Higher Education Policy
0503255202
jenna.sorjonen(at)hyy.fi
DEGREE PROGRAMMES WITH OPEN POSITIONS IN THE STEERING GROUP:
Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
Bachelor’s Programme in Forest Sciences: 1 member and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Agricultural, Environmental and Resource Economics: 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in Food Economy and Consumption: 2 members and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Food Sciences: 1 member and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Forest Sciences: 1 member and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Human Nutrition and Food Behaviour: 1 member and 2 deputies
Faculty of Arts
Bachelor’s Programme in Art Studies: 1 deputy
Bachelor’s Programme in Cultural Studies: 1 deputy
Bachelor’s Programme in Philosophy: 1 deputy
Bachelor’s Programme in History: 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in Area and Cultural Studies: 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Cultural Heritage: 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Gender Studies: 1 member and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Intercultural Encounters: 2 members and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Languages: 1 member and 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in Linguistic Diversity in the Digital Age: 1 member and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Literary Studies: 1 member and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Russian Studies: 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in Scandinavian Languages and Literature: 1 member and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Translation and Interpreting: 2 members and 2 deputies
Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences
Bachelor’s programme in Biology: 1 member and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Genetics and Molecular Biosciences: 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in Neuroscience: 2 deputies
Faculty of Law
Bachelor’s Programme in Law: 2 members and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Global Governance Law: 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in International Business Law: 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Law: 1 member and 2 deputies
Faculty of Science
Bachelor’s Programme for Teachers of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry: 1 deputy
Bachelor’s Programme in Chemistry: 2 deputies
Bachelor’s Programme in Geography: 2 deputies
Bachelor’s Programme in Geosciences: 1 deputy
Bachelor’s Programme in Science: 1 member and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme for Teachers of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry: 1 member and 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in Atmospheric Sciences: 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences: 1 member and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Computer Science: 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Data Science: 1 member and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Geography: 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Materials Research: 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences: 1 member and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Theoretical and Computational Methods: 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning: 2 members and 2 deputies
Faculty of Social Sciences
Master’s Programme in Contemporary Societies: 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in European and Nordic Studies: 1 member and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Philosophy: 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Politics, Media and Communication: 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Social and Health Research and Management: 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Society and Change: 1 member and 2 deputies
Swedish-language Master’s Programme in Social Sciences (samhällsvetenskaper): 2 deputies
Faculty of Theology
Master’s Programme in Theology and Religious Studies: 2 deputies