The war in Ukraine
AYY is worried about recent events in Ukraine and strongly condemns Russia’s military operations.
If you feel worried or scared, please keep in mind that there is confidential support available:
- MIELI Mental Health Finland’s Crisis Helpline https://mieli.fi/tukea-ja-apua/kriisipuhelin/
- Starting Point of Wellbeing services are available for all students without booking an appointment in advance
- Crisis centres around Finland offer support face-to-face or remotely
- Sekasin chat for young people and Solmussa chat for adults
- Nyyti’s chat
- Aalto’s support email through which Aalto University collects information on worries and problems: [email protected]
We remind you that discrimination, harassment or hate speech are not acceptable. If you face inappropriate conduct, please contact AYY’s harassment contact person at hairinta(a)ayy.fi. You can also report any form of harassment anonymously via a form.
AYY supports Aalto University’s strivings to offer study places to Ukrainian students arriving in Finland as refugees. We also support Aalto’s other measures.
AYY supports the introduction of Students at Risk scholarship system in Finland, which is promoted by the National Union of University Students in Finland SYL (text in Finnish). The idea is to enable students fleeing conflict areas to continue their studies in Finland without causing any costs for the student.
We have advised, and will continue to advise, Ukrainian students at Aalto University and everyone else affected by the crisis. In March, we will organise Community Dialogue event regarding the situation in Ukraine. We will also clarify how many recently graduated Aalto alumni are in a situation where their residence permit may soon expire or is about to expire. We have participated in demonstrations and encouraged our members to join.
If you can and want to help the victims of the war in Ukraine, the best way is to donate money through reliable organisations. SYL has compiled a list of good ways to donate and other ways for ordinary students to help.
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.