News

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.

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.

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.

Aalto University Student Union and Varte Ltd have signed an agreement for a student housing construction project in Otaniemi, Espoo. The project will be implemented on Otaniemi campus area at Otakaari 15, on a plot bordering Martti Levón Park. The project includes the construction of 153 student apartments in a residential building with 4–6 floors and 3 staircases. The total floor area of the building will be 4,465 m2. The property will also include geothermal heating and a solar power system with a capacity of 30 kWp.

Mantė Žygelytė from Aalto University Student Union (AYY), Omotola Adeshina from University of the Arts Student Union (TaiYo) and Shashika Harshani from Student Union of the University of Turku (TYY) wrote an opinion piece about the 3/6 month rule that is threatening international students.

Aalto University has decided to implement meeting remunerations for student representatives in administration! The decision will take effect on 1 Jan 2025. AYY has actively advocated for rewarding student representatives and views this decision as a significant improvement.

Aalto University Student Union has a wide range of volunteers working in sections, committees and other positions of trust. Volunteer recruitment is open annually from October to January. Volunteers appointed for 2025 will be announced on this page as the decisions are confirmed. Congratulations to new volunteers and thank you to all the applicants!

AYY is simplifying the booking for rental facilities by standardising user hours and rental prices. Changes will take effect on 1 Jan 2025.

Veera Kivivirta has been appointed as Aalto University Student Union’s new Chief Financial Officer, starting in her position on 20 Jan 2025.

Aalto University Student Union’s candidate, Nette Rimpioja, has been appointed as the Vice Chair of the Finnish Student Sports Federation for 2025. The OLL chairs for the next year were elected at the general assembly held in Vantaa on 20–21 November.

AYY’s Representative Council has approved Former of the Board Sakari Ropponen’s proposal for the composition of the 2025 Board. At the same meeting on 21 Nov 2024, vice chairs for the Representative Council were also elected for 2025.

Are you an exchange student or a doctoral student in need of a temporary home in Helsinki? Now you have the opportunity to move into immediately available studios and two-room apartments on Turkismiehentie, Pitäjänmäki!