Student voice heard on Aalto Board Nomination Committee

Student of Architecture Suvi Vendelin is the first student to join the Board Nomination Committee of Aalto University as a student member. She attended her first meeting in May 2021 and continues on the committee for another year.
Suvi Vendelin

Suvi Vendelin’s position as a student member is a new position on the Aalto Board Nomination Committee. Having a student member on the nomination committee has been an advocacy goal for Aalto University Student Union and included in a policy paper for years. For almost as long, we have discussed how student representation is included in the process of selecting the Aalto Board. The student member has the right to speak on the committee but no right to vote.

The Board Nomination Committee of Aalto University is a group of representatives elected by Aalto’s highest decision-making body, the Aalto University Academic Affairs Committee, including representatives of Aalto’s founding members and professors who go through interviews of applicants to the University Board. The Board Nomination Committee makes a proposal to the Academic Affairs Committee on the person to be elected to the Board. The proposal must, of course, be as responsible and good a choice as possible.

”As a student on the Aalto Nomination Committee, I can directly influence discussions about what is expected of the Aalto Board. The Aalto Board can influence the operations, strategy, larger policies and goals of the entire university. It is important for the Aalto Board to understand students’ daily lives, experiences and needs when preparing major plans and strategic decisions,” says Vendelin.

To ensure continuity, the three-year terms of board members end in stages, so the work is annual. The selection process takes a year. Vendelin says that nomination committee duties also include independent information retrieval, as it is useful to know more extensively how Aalto University operates and what kind of experts are wanted for the Board.

”It is extremely interesting to see what the wishes of the Academic Affairs Committee and the Aalto Board have been and how the Aalto University is expected to profile itself through personnel selection. I have become hugely curious and enthusiastic about advocacy work,” rejoices Vendelin.

Vendelin encourages students who wish to influence the future of Aalto University to challenge and question, ask questions and boldly express their own wishes for studies. It is advisable to attend meetings of advocates in your own field and contact the persons in charge of study affairs or students on the boards of associations.

”The world is evolving, and studies must also evolve. Students often have the freshest perspective on their field and its challenges.”

  • Published:
  • Updated:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

Facelift_1
Ajankohtaista Published:

Facelift renovation of B & C staircases at Otakaari 18 have been completed

Comfort improvement (facelift) renovation at Otakaari 18 B & C staircases has been completed. The project progressed on schedule and was very successful from the property owner’s point of view. Facelift renovations took place between 11/2023 and 3/2024.
Hymyileviä nuoria
Ajankohtaista, Press release Published:

Apply for SYL committees

Aalto University Student Union members now have the opportunity to apply as candidates for the Development Cooperation Advisory Board (KENKKU) and Climate Network of SYL, the National Union of University Students in Finland. In the committees, you have the opportunity to learn and engage in national advocacy work in the field of development cooperation and climate policy.
Sunny rooftop terrace
Ajankohtaista Published:

Advance booking of facilities for the autumn of 2024

AYY’s associations have the right to book rental saunas, event venues and meeting rooms in advance. In this booking round, you can book facilities for the period 5 Aug 2024 - 5 Jan 2025.
Kannanotto / ställningstagande / statement
Ajankohtaista, Kannanotot ja lausunnot Published:

The proposed fee for applying for an extension is another slap in the face for students

Orpo’s government is proposing a fee of 50 euros for university students applying for an extension to complete their studies. The government’s goal is to raise the level of education in Finland, but at the same time, it is adding new obstacles to students’ graduation. Combined with the cuts to subsistence, adding a fee for applying for an extension only serves to repeat the same old message to students: you are nothing but a burden to society.