Statement
18.5.2018
UniSport has created a new website, which both appearance- and contentwise differs from the old one. The new website can be accessed at uusi.UniSport.fi
The new website currently completely lacks Swedish content.
The old website (UniSport.fi) is translated to Swedish, even though the translated version is inadequate in function and most of the links on the Swedish pages lead back to the Finnish site. The Swedish website has now and then had straight up false information regarding schedules. The poorly functioning Swedish website has led to Swedish-speaking customers being less inclined to use it, which explains the low rate of usage. Swedish information as physical guideposts are as good as non-existent in UniSport’s facilities, so there will be no Swedish information on UniSport at all without a translated website.
The decision-making process that led to the exclusion of a Swedish website was unclear. The operative leaders made the decision and it was discussed in UniSport’s board, but the board did not make the decision. The possibility of having the issue discussed by the University of Helsinki’s Board for the Development of Swedish Affairs and Teaching was proposed, but it never happened. The Hanken School of Economics has recently become one of UniSport’s owners and was consulted regarding the matter, but the student unions have not been heard. This is regrettable, since students are UniSport’s largest group of customers.
The exclusion of a Swedish website for a company that is owned by three universities with Swedish as an official language is unacceptable.
The University of Helsinki, Aalto University and Hanken School of Economics have a total of 5000 Swedish-speaking students. Many of these students do not speak or use the Finnish language. The exclusion of a Swedish website leaves Swedish-speaking customers in a weaker position than others, as they are unable to get information on UniSport’s services in their mother tongue. The decision also gives the impression that Swedish-speaking customers are not equal to other customer groups.
It is of the uttermost importance that UniSport decides to maintain a functioning Swedish version of the new website, and we demand UniSport’s leaders to cover this issue.
Noora Vänttinen, Chairperson of AYY’s board
Lauri Linna, Chairperson of HYY’s board
Henna Konsti, Chairperson of SHS’s board