Statement
Espoo 8.3.2010

AYY: SORA brings the university administration back to the 19th century

The Aalto University Student Union (AYY) states that the conclusions of the working group of the Ministry of Education, which considered solutions for unsuitability, brings the Finnish university institution back to the 19th century when the Rector of the University had the direct judicial and police power, bypassing the normal judicial system.

SORA working group in practice proposes that police power should be returned to universities. In the future, the members of the governing bodies of universities could assess the medical suitability of students to different fields. In addition, the dangerousness of students could be assessed and they could be removed from the university area. This very confusingly extends the power of lecturers to the area which has traditionally been very limited to security officers and the police.

The disciplinary means do not have effect on the cause of students’ possible problems, but instead they aim at excluding a disturbing student outside the university community. The threat of separation and social stigma may also prevent a student from seeking appropriate care. The university exceeds its authority by using its power in other than academic matters.

Over the last century, the complete autonomy of universities has for most parts reduced. It is not desirable that these powers are returned by taking advantage of national tragedies. The presented procedures do not increase actual security much but instead they create a tool which can be used to limit the basic rights of students even more.