We are looking for student representatives for the Equality and Diversity Committee!

How does the University of Helsinki develop its equality and diversity affairs? What kind of projects are under way right now? Apply to the Equality and Diversity Committee to get to work on these themes yourself!

ADMINISTRATIVE BODY

The Equality and Diversity Committee of the University of Helsinki promotes and develops the realisation of equality and non-discrimination at the University of Helsinki. The committee’s duties are as follows:

• Promoting the realisation of the objectives set out in the Act on Equality between Women and Men and the Non-Discrimination Act at the University as well as monitoring and reporting on the status of equality at the University
• Influencing the University community so as to strengthen pro-equality attitudes, opinions and structures in accordance with the University’s strategic policies
• Preparing an equality and non-discrimination plan in accordance with the stipulations of the Act on Equality between Women and Men and the Non-Discrimination Act

The University of Helsinki also has annual theme years related to equality and non-discrimination. The committee works on matters and events related to the theme year. The theme for 2022, for instance, is disability inclusion, and the committee has organised related events. The committee also annually awards the Maikki Friberg equality award. On the committee, you will thus get to learn about themes related to equality and non-discrimination within the University of Helsinki as well as work on these themes in practice!

The committee is chaired by Tom Böhling, the vice rector in charge of equality, with Equality Advisor Timo Valtonen serving as the secretary. The committee members are appointed to represent the diversity of the University community. Members are appointed from different faculties and from among both personnel and students. The committee’s current term is 2021–2024. Student representatives serve on the committee for two years at a time, and we are now looking for student representatives for the two-year term 1 January 2023–31 December 2024. The committee’s main working language is Finnish.

Student representatives have two positions for actual members and two for vice members. HYY’s specialist Tiia Niemi will serve as one of the actual members, with a member of HYY’s Board as her vice member. We are thus now looking for one actual member and one vice member for the committee. However, all student representatives, including vice members, may attend the meetings, which means that the vice members will get to take part in the committee’s operation just as actively as the actual members. Student representatives will also have HYY’s specialist at the meetings to support them, so you will not be left alone in this position!

According to the Regulations of the University of Helsinki and HYY’s Regulation on the Selection of Student Representatives, HYY’s Board appoints student representatives to the administrative bodies of the University of Helsinki.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU?

You must be registered for attendance at the University of Helsinki. No special skills are required – being interested in the position, motivated to serve in it and prepared to commit to it are the most important things. Meetings may be held less frequently than once a month, and in addition to them, you will need to spend time mainly on preparation, depending on the amount of material. The committee puts great emphasis on discussing matters, while one of its main duties is to prepare the equality and non-discrimination plan, which means that you will get to be involved in a task that is important for the entire University!

HOW DO I APPLY TO BECOME A STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE?

Applications should be submitted at beta.halloped.fi/en by 11.59 pm on 20 November 2022.

Your application need not be long. In it, please indicate your current major or degree programme and study orientation as well as your student number. (The student number is only used to verify your attendance status. The information will be deleted after it has been verified.) The Student Union considers the following as advantages:

• Motivation and commitment to serving in the position
• Views on developing the University’s activities related to equality and non-discrimination
• Previous experience of acting as a student representative in administration, as a person in charge of academic affairs or in some other position related to student advocacy work

The Student Union hopes to see applications from representatives of different genders and people in different stages of their studies from diverse backgrounds. The Student Union strives to consider different disciplines’ representation when making the selections.

For further information on acting on the Equality and Diversity Committee and the call for applications, please contact:

Marianna Suokas
Specialist in educational policy
050 325 5202
marianna.suokas(at)hyy.fi