Aalto University and student union leaders: We call on everyone to take action against gender discrimination
The university community has no place for the belittlement of, contempt for, or discrimination against women, say Aalto University and Aalto University Student Union leaders in their statement. Aalto and the student union work hard to ensure our community is open and accessible, and affords equal opportunities to all. We deeply regret that members of our student community have experienced unfair treatment.
Aalto University is a multicultural community with many voices and we want to defend the values of equality and diversity. The university community has no place for the belittlement of, contempt for, or discrimination against women. The university can best serve society when everyone is equally heard.
In recent days social media has brought attention to inappropriate behaviour towards women in student culture. Discriminatory actions have always been wrong and they continue to be wrong today, regardless of when or in which field they have occurred. They can appear quietly in situations that belittle women or when stereotypical gender roles are revived and repeated. Each and every student and personnel at Aalto University has the right to a safe environment.
Aalto University systematically follows how equality is being realised in recruitment, admission exams, teaching, and evaluation. Aalto has trained and instructed staff to notice hidden biases, and to promote equality in operations, recruitment processes and communications. Our aim is to reduce differences between fields of study, and promote the equal treatment of students. Employee and researcher mentoring, coaching, and on-boarding have been renewed, so they can better support equal opportunity career paths. The university has also developed processes to intervene in harassment and inappropriate behaviour so that the threshold to report is as low as possible. Aalto is committed to continuing this work.
The Aalto University Student Union (AYY) trains organisations yearly in equality through its own operations as well as in collaboration with the university. The student union is now compiling guidelines for event security and safer spaces, which will be used to train its own members and organisations. The student union also intends to train its own volunteers on how to intervene in harassment. It will also continue the discussion about equality in student culture together with organisations.
We need courage for discussion and dialogue. Get to know these topics yourself and together with your closest circles. Raise issues related to equality and inclusivity in your own Aalto community. The university offers wide-ranging information, guidelines and training on advancing equality and taking a stand against discrimination.
We can all advance equality in our day-to-day lives. If you experience, see or witness inappropriate behaviour, intervene immediately – we all play a part in our community’s wellbeing. You can also get in contact with the student union’s harassment contact people, who will support and help you forward.
Ilkka Niemelä, president Olli Kesseli, chair of the board,
Aalto University Aalto University Student Union
Kristiina Mäkelä, provost Milja Leinonen, vice chair of the board
Aalto University Aalto University Student Union
Read more news
Ecological sustainability policy has been updated – AYY transitions to a plant-based policy
Aalto University Student Union (AYY) has updated its ecological sustainability policy, which supports AYY’s daily operations. The new document directs AYY to serve plant-based food and drinks at its events. In the future, food waste will be minimised, and 30 percent of air and ship travel costs will be offset towards environmental activities.
AYY is taking steps to improve equity in its operations – new equity plan approved by RepCo
Aalto University Student Union has an equity plan, first in AYY’s history, that was approved in the Representative Council meeting on 21.11.2024. Equity plan will guide AYY towards more accessible and inclusive ways for our students to participate in AYY’s events and operations.
Good news for residents in shared apartments: Here’s how you can receive your own housing allowance while living in a friends’ apartment!
A joint liability rental agreement may affect the housing allowance, as Kela typically grants only one housing allowance for a shared household, which is influenced by the income of both residents. However, residents in friends’ apartments may receive separate housing allowances if Kela reviews them as separate households. This requires tenants with a joint liability rental agreement to draft a mutual possession agreement for the apartment and submit it as an appendix with their housing allowance application to Kela. Tenants draft the possession agreement by themselves.