New policy paper at the student union
Aalto University Student Union (AYY) has new policies, which the Representative Council has approved at its meeting on 14 December. The policy paper, governing the student union policies, outlines the Student Union’s position on political issues and provides a framework for societal discussions. The policy paper primarily operates as a tool for advocacy work and serves as a guiding document. The renewal process focused on making changes both in structure and content.
In the new policy paper, the student union policies are divided according to three aspects of advocacy: society, Aalto community and education policy.
‘In addition to the necessity for structural change, there was also a clear need to bring policies up to date with the present day. The significant policy changes concern comments on changes in students’ livelihood and well-being. In addition, there was an increased emphasis on advocacy work within the university, concerning facility and language principles, for example. A major step forward was also officially declaring AYY as a feminist student union’, comments Chair of the Student Union Board Ida Parkkinen.
The new policy paper is the result of collaboration between the student union office and the Representative Council. The goal was to create a policy paper that reflects the student union members. The Advocacy Committee consisting of representatives from various Representative Council groups worked in close cooperation with the AYY office.
The Advocacy Committee has played a key role in the creation of new policies: ‘The Advocacy Committee participated in drafting the policy paper with enthusiasm throughout the updating process. At times, the entries sparked heated discussions, which is absolutely positive and natural part of the process. The end result reflects the community’, comments Chair of the Advocacy Committee Veera Ollikainen.
The new policy paper can be found below.
Further information:
Nea-Bettina Baarman, Advocacy and Communications Manager
Ida Parkkinen, Chair of the Board
Read more news
Letter to Members of Parliament
We brought all Members of Parliament letters this week.
Call for applications: Model for AYY’s image bank photoshoot
Aalto University Student Union is updating its image bank and looking for enthusiastic students to model for the project. We will arrange three photoshoots during 2024, and we aim to have a diverse representation of students from different fields. We are looking for a total of 15 students.
Mental Health Week held in the shadow of students’ mental health crisis
This week is Students’ Mental Health Week, aiming to address the alarming mental health situation of students and to foster a more mentally healthy learning environment in higher education communities.