Influencing

The Student Union of the University of Turku promotes the interests of all students of the University of Turku, both locally and nationally.

Promotion of student interests is a core function of TYY and includes several different tasks. Promotion of interests is often conducted in a very long term. For example, TYY has been taking a stance towards the development of study subsidy and of student income almost as long as it has existed. On the other hand, acute measures, related to e.g. exam grades, are also part of the promotion of student interests.

The promotion of student interests can be roughly divided in academic, social and international affairs, which cut through practically all sectors of TYY activities. In practice, the promotion of interests conducted by TYY is cooperation between several sectors.

Academic Affairs

The focal point of the promotion of academic interests is on the development of teaching quality and appreciation as well as on bringing forth the viewpoint of students in the University of Turku. The aim is to increase the interaction between students and staff, and to make the entire academic community work together for a common goal.

The Executive Member for Academic Affairs and the staff are responsible for academic affairs and study issues. In addition to them, the student representatives in the administration and students in several organisations under the Student Union promote student interest. Specialist for Academic Affairs handles issues related to the monitoring of student rights. If you feel you have been treated unjustly e.g. with regard to the evaluation of a course, thesis or other issue related to studies or guidance, Specialist for Academic Affairs is the person to help you.

The Executive Board Member for Academic Affairs is responsible for study and degree issues, teaching and its development and student representatives in the university administration. In addition, the Executive Member for Academic Affairs participates in the national and international discussion concerning university institution, e.g. with regard to tuition fees or university financing.

Social Affairs

Student income and the promotion of study capability are in the centre of social affairs. Influencing student income is conducted especially through study subsidy, and TYY has actively commented the development of study subsidy. Locally, TYY gathers up a couple of times a year all parties working in the field of student income. Through this income network, the cooperation parties have been effectively made aware of the legal changes affecting the everyday life of students, and the cooperation between different actors has been increased, in order to provide more straightforward and topical guidance for students.

Healthcare, housing, well-being and planning one’s use of time are related to the maintenance of study capability. Important cooperation parties include the Finnish Student Health Service FSHS, Study Psychologists of the University of Turku, Disability Coordinator and the Student Village Foundation of Turku TYS.

The Executive Member for Social Affairs and the staff are responsible for social affairs. In addition to them, the student representatives in the administration, TYY Accessibility Working Group and the sub-organisation members for well-being / social affairs conduct significant work promoting student well-being.

Specialist for Social Affairs serves as a link between the operational groups of the field and is responsible for communicating the current issues related to social affairs. Specialist for Social Affairs provides counselling, if you are unaware of who to contact with issues related to e.g. income, as well as further information concerning the influencing possibilities of students and activities in the field of social affairs and well-being. Specialist for Social Affairs also serves as a harassment contact person, who can be contacted if sexual harassment is observed at the university. All discussions concerning eventually uncomfortable situations are absolutely confidential.

International Affairs

The promotion of student interests by TYY also covers the issues of the international students arriving in the University of Turku as well as those of students leaving Finland for abroad. TYY Specialist for International Affairs works in close cooperation with the Specialists for Academic and Social Affairs. Especially important fields in the promotion of interests include challenges related to housing and employment of foreign persons as well as issues related to healthcare and well-being.

Issues related to academic affairs include the influencing of the study possibilities of foreign exchange and degree students at the University of Turku and at the national level. TYY wants to ensure, also in the future, the cost-free and high-quality education for the foreign students arriving in the University of Turku, and participates in the work against tuition fees together with other Student Unions in Finland.

In addition to social guidance and services, TYY Specialist for International Affairs participates in the development of the content and quality of degrees together with the University of Turku.

Specialist for International Affairs also serves as a harassment contact person, who can be contacted if sexual harassment is observed at the university. All discussions concerning eventually uncomfortable situations are absolutely confidential.