We influence matters at the University, in the city and in society

We improve students’ status at the University, in the city and in society. We promote and defend issues that are important to students. Our work is based on our values: education, equality, humanity, courage and responsibility. Our advocacy work takes many forms: we meet decision-makers, publish statements and opinion pieces, run campaigns and participate in meetings and working groups. In addition to this, we support active students in their work.

We are building the society of our dreams

Students’ voice at the University

The highest power at universities belongs to the university community. Alongside professors and other staff members, we students are also members of the University community – we have the chance to influence matters at all levels of decision-making at the University. We have seats in the executive groups of degree programmes as well as the faculty councils, the University’s Board and the University Collegium. Students are also represented in many working groups at the University.

In addition to representative decision-making, students influence matters at the University through the Student Union. We – the specialists and members of the Board from the Student Union’s office – regularly meet with actors such as the Rector of the University, the vice deans in charge of academic affairs at the faculties and the people from University Services. We offer them a student perspective on various issues and cooperate with them to develop the University.

Further information on acting as a student representative

Our work in the city and society

Studies and reports

Our advocacy work is always based on research. We regularly make and commission studies on issues related to our students’ lives. For instance, we have conducted a wellbeing survey among our students and commissioned reports on issues such as the subsistence of the students of the University of Helsinki and the Aalto University, the situation of students over 30 years of age and the sickness insurances of international students. We are also involved in the Opiskelijan kaupunki (‘student’s city’) study, which analyses urban comfort, student housing and transport in the Capital Region.