Press releases

20.11.2017

The effects of the general housing allowance on rental agreements

Housing, Press releases, Student Union, Tenants Leave a comment

The transition to general housing allowance has caused difficulties for students living together, since students living under joint lease agreements are interpreted by Kela as a single household. This means that students who live together apply for housing allowance together, and the allowance is determined by their total income. As a solution to the problem, many students have drafted separate lease agreements or changed to a main tenant/subtenant arrangement.

In the private rental market, lessors seldom agree to make separate contracts for tenants, since from the lessor’s point of view, it is simpler and safer for the whole group to jointly pay for the rent. For AYY, making separate contracts is challenging, as it would practically require installing locks on the doors of bedrooms of two-room apartments and larger apartments, in which case living would resemble that in a shared apartment. The problem with this procedure is the gradual transformation of 2-room apartments (and larger apartments) into shared apartments. When a tenant would move out of an apartment shared by friends, AYY would pick the first person in the shared apartment queue to replace them if the conditions for a friend swap are not fulfilled. Consequently, apartments used as friend apartments would gradually become regular shared apartments. As a mode of living, shared apartments are not the preferred choice for many tenants, and they are seen rather as the last option and as a temporary housing solution. “Shared-apartmentization” would also be a challenge for AYY as a lessor, as tenant turnover is high in shared apartments, and each moving to and from an apartment causes wear and tear on the apartment, and the failure to maintain common facilities is a very common problem in shared apartments that keeps the housing office and the real estate sector busy. AYY will modify its housing stock through renovations so that shared apartments will be replaced by, for example, studio rooms in shared apartments, so that the apartments can better match the housing needs of students.

With AYY, applying for an apartment is based on a transparent queuing system governed by the housing regulation. The queuing system has been created so that there are no unjustified shortcuts; for example, a person who is not already a principal tenant in an AYY apartment cannot be suggested as a candidate for a friend swap. As a result, the transformation of apartments with two or more rooms into shared apartments cannot be prevented within the framework of the current regulation by allowing all friends to move to an apartment in a friend swap. All applicants for AYY’s apartments are equal, and the housing queue cannot be ignored just because a room would become free in an apartment shared by friends and the applicant knows one of the tenants.

According to the housing regulation, AYY’s two-bedroom and larger flats cannot be applied for alone. This means that AYY cannot, under the present regulation, allow a main tenant/subtenant arrangement to be carried out, where a two-room or bigger apartment would be leased to one of the principal tenants, who could then take anybody as their subtenant. In addition, living in AYY’s apartments has been considered as a member benefit, meaning that AYY has sought to provide housing to as many AYY members as possible. In a main tenant/subtenant arrangement, AYY cannot control whom the apartments are sub-leased to, meaning that the proportion of AYY’s tenants would likely decrease. Also, a main tenant/subtenant arrangement does not automatically guarantee that the tenants would form their own households according to KELA and thus be granted their own housing allowances.

AYY aims to make its friend and family apartment agreements more equal so that in the future, all residents of a friend apartment would be able to reside in the apartment for as long as at least one resident has a valid right of residence. Additionally, AYY is currently developing the possibility of seeking shared apartments together, allowing friends to live in the same apartment with separate leases. The housing regulation will also be reviewed and updated extensively next year, so changes in the subject matter are possible.

For further information, please contact Onni Lampi, Member of the Board (email: onni.lampi@ayy.fi, tel: 050 520 9444).

17.11.2017

AYY elected the Chair of the Representative Council and the Former of the Board for 2018

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Announcement
Aalto University Student Union
17.11.2017
For immediate publication

The Representative Council of the Aalto University Student Union (AYY) elected the Chair of the Representative Council and the Former of the Board for 2018 at its meeting on Wednesday, the 15^th of November 2017. The Chair of the Representative Council next year is Onni Lampi, and the new Former of the Board is Noora Vänttinen.

Lampi, the new Chair of the Representative Council, is a fifth-year student of Communications Engineering. In 2017, he worked as a member of the AYY Board, being responsible for housing and real estate issues. His work tasks included the development of real estate, changes in the property stock, and housing as a service and creator of communality. During his year as a member of the Board, Lampi’s biggest project has been the promotion of the Student Center and the facility program. Previously, Lampi has acted as a group Chair in the Representative Council, and he has also worked as Chief Editor of Radiodiodi and as the Tutor Boss of his guild.

”I feel fantastic, and I’m really eager to develop the Representative Council into a more discussion-oriented direction!” says Lampi. “My goal for the coming year is that the members of the Representative Council would see the meetings and other events as a valuable channel for influencing.”

Noora Vänttinen, Master’s student at the School of Electrical Engineering, was chosen as the Former of the Board. She also worked in the AYY Board in 2017, handling issues related to communications, the brand, museum and archives. Previously, Vänttinen has worked with the Tempaus 2016 project, among others.

”I really can’t describe my feelings right now. But now is not the time to take a holiday, since I’m faced with perhaps the hardest task of my entire career at the Aalto University: forming the Board. But I’m really looking forward to next week!” Vänttinen says. ”If this stage goes as expected, we can take important steps towards our shared vision next year: AYY – The best student’s life in the world.”

The Former of the Board makes a proposal to the Representative Council about the composition of the Board for the year 2018, and the Council elects the new Board at its meeting on the 29th of November 2017.

Joona Orpana, Chair of the AYY Board 2017, congratulates the newly elected Chair of the Representative Council and Former of the Board.

”Onni and Noora are real Aalto people. It has been an honor to follow them act as an inspiration for others and marvel their determined growth as genuine wielders of influence,” says Orpana and sets his eyes on the future: “I look forward with pride to the moment when they take the Student Union under their leadership and take us on a trip towards the best student’s life in the world. By the way, now is the time to apply or tell your friends to do so, because the positions for the Board and volunteers will be handed out soon!”

The Aalto University Student Union (AYY) is a service and advocate association for about 15 000 students of the Aalto University. AYY works as an advocate for its members, especially in matters of educational politics and social issues relating to studies. The Council is AYY’s highest decision-making body, which selects the Board of the Student Union and decides on the budget, amongst other things.

More information:

Noora Vänttinen, Former of the Board 2018, noora.vanttinen@ayy.fi, 040 731 6120
Onni Lampi, Chair of the Representative Council 2018, onni.lampi@ayy.fi,
Niko Ferm, Secretary General, niko.ferm@ayy.fi, 050 520 9415

9.11.2017

AYY is looking for an IT expert

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AYY is searching for a brisk and spontaneous person to act as an IT expert. The tasks of the IT expert include the maintenance and development of AYY’s IT environment. AYY has several systems that run on Python, Django, WordPress and Ruby on Rails platforms. Taking care of information security, fixing bugs and continuous development are the primary responsibilites of the IT expert. The role also entails other information technology tasks, upkeep of Windows systems and LAMP services, and acting as a superior to the resident IT support person.

The position is excellent for a student late in their studies or for a recently graduated professional who wants to develop their career in a young and dynamic work environment. The AYY staff shares a relaxed attitude and interest in student organization activities, so we hope that the applicant also has an interest in the field and can commit themselves to the role for a longer time. The IT team is small, so the IT expert needs to be proactive in their work and be able to finish projects on their own. We do not expect you to be the complete solution, however; rather the attitude and a will to learn new things are key factors! The work is supported by a Trinet team in charge of network and server infrastructure. The task is permanent and the working hours are flexible. However, we hope that you can work at least about 25 hours a week. The salary is based on the student union collective labor agreement, grade three.

AYY requires:

Higher education studies from a relevant field of expertise
Knowledge and understanding of programming through work experience, hobbies or subject organization activities
Linux administrator experience and knowledge of Linux, Apache, MySQL/MariaDB databases
Understanding of information security and information safety
Excellent interaction and teamwork skills, ability to see the big picture, and a will to learn new things.
Good skills in Finnish and English

Considered as a plus:

Project control in a digital environment.
Experience in work supervision
Knowledge of the university environment (university/student union)

AYY offers:

Long-term work contract with lots of opportunities for development
An expert team in a changing and enthusiastic work environment in a young-spirited organization
Option to apply for AYY housing

Sound like your thing? Send your application and CV, preferably in PDF, to https://atalent.fi/avoimet-tyopaikat/it-asiantuntija-3/ by Sunday, the 19^th of November 2017. Mention your preferred starting date and salary in your application. The application process is quick, and we will go through the applications already during the call for applications period. The first interviews will be held at the end of week 48, so ensure that you have time for an interview on that week.

Get to know AYY better here: / . More information on the task and recruitment process from Recruitment Manager Meeri Sarkkinen (+358 504350511, meeri.sarkkinen@atalent.fi) .

The Aalto University Student Union (AYY) is a service and advocate association for nearly 15 000 students of the Aalto University. AYY employs about 50 people and dozens of volunteers and associations work within its sphere of influence. AYY is a young and innovative player in the student union field, one where you can implement your own ideas and create something new. As a working environment, AYY is young and very flexible.

3.11.2017

Strong suspicion of drugging a person in Otaniemi & safety in student events

Associations, Press releases, Rental of facilities, Student Union, Students Leave a comment

STRONG SUSPICION OF DRUGGING A PERSON IN OTANIEMI & SAFETY IN STUDENT EVENTS

The Student Union of Aalto University (AYY) has been informed of a strong suspicion of a person being drugged at a joint event held by associations operating within AYY and the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY). The event was held on the 2^nd of November at Servin Mökki. The event was stopped as a result.

The organizers of the event contacted AYY immediately, after which a representative of AYY also visited the venue. The organizers of the event had been given comprehensive safety instructions, and the event was organized according to these instructions. The organizers acted in an exemplary manner by securing the safety of the victim and aborting the event immediately in a controlled manner. The person was taken to a hospital by ambulance and they are fine. AYY and HYY have been in close contact with the associations that organized the event and will continue to follow the situation. The associations’ own announcement can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/225829981282545/permalink/235793573619519/.

Everyone’s joint safety is an issue that cannot be compromised on in any situation and no-one’s personal untouchability can be threatened. However, if this occurs, all kinds of harassment or other threatening behaviour must be intervened in at once. This applies to both external people and to the members of the student community. If an event is only meant to be open to students, persons wanting to attend can, for example, be required to present a valid student card. Also, whether they are closed or open to everyone, no persons should be admitted to events if their behaviour worries or threatens other participants.

The situation is always serious if it causes anxiety or someone feels unsafe. If a situation of danger occurs, it’s important to know how to act. Persons who are threatening or violate the personal untouchability of someone must be expelled from the event. In threatening situations, the event must be suspended at once. The event organisers have to make sure that appropriate preparations have been made for situations of danger. This means that at least fire safety, access control and threatening behaviour have to be prepared for. There is always cause to read the usage instructions of the premises, even if the location is familiar. Exit routes must be kept clear, passage signs openly visible and its must be checked that extinguishing devices and first-aid equipment are in place. The best way to pre-empt disruptive behaviour is

to agree on who is responsible for access control,
to make sure that the event is not allowed to expand in an uncontrolled way,
to agree on rules for threatening situations,
and to minimise easy risks (e.g. scissors, tools, cooking utensils etc. out of sight)

AYY takes all cases of harassment and dangerous situations occurring at student functions seriously. Suspected criminal incidents against the well-being of a person should always be reported to the police. In this way, we can show together that no kind of harassment or violence will be tolerated at functions of the Student Union and student associations.

In situations threatening the well-being of participants, the safety of the victims should always be ensured and the emergency centre should be called. We hope that there would never be any hesitation about reporting dangerous situations without delay to the emergency centre. We also hope that all dangerous situations and incidents of harassment would be reported to AYY. In this way, we can prevent the possible spreading of problems by working together.

Also read AYY’s and the Aalto Chaplains instructions on after-management of crisis situations in student associations. The instructions include advice on meeting a person who is in shock and arranging follow-up assistance, and their purpose is to provide an action model and contact details in case of those kinds of sudden, shocking situations, crises. The link to the instructions: https://inside.ayy.fi/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=12615842

Your contact persons at AYY:

Association-specific advice
Ahto Harmo, Specialist, Organizational Affairs and Communications, ahto.harmo at ayy.fi, 050 520 9442.

Harassment contact persons
You can contact the harassment contact persons if you have experienced or observed harassment in the student community. All contact is confidential. The harassment contact people offer advice and help through discussion, and also help in clearing up the harassment situation if necessary

Lauri Jurvanen, Specialist, Social Affairs, Harassment contact person, lauri.jurvanen at ayy.fi or hairinta-mies at ayy.fi , 050 520 9418.

Elli-Noora Kaurila, Specialist, Student Advocacy, Harassment contact person, elli-noora.kaurila at ayy.fi or hairinta-nainen at ayy.fi, 050 520 9445.

2.11.2017

AYY and Hoas set the Aalto Village cornerstone in place

Associations, Press releases Leave a comment

The cornerstone for the new student apartment building in the Aalto Village was set on Thursday 12^th of October 2017 in Otaniemi, Espoo. The masons were the Mayor of Espoo, Jukka Mäkelä along with AYY&Hoas representatives. 262 new student apartments will be completed on the site of the old police academy by the start of 2019.

In November 2016, the ceremony for the removal of the cornerstone of the old police academy took place at Miestentie 2, with the police saying their farewells to Otaniemi. A year later, on Thursday 12^th of October, the plot was a site to a historical event yet again. By 2019 the plot will hold 262 new student apartments.

Miestentie 2 is a joint project of the Aalto University Student Union (AYY) and the Foundation for Student Housing in the Helsinki Region (Hoas). The new construction will have 262 new student apartments, half of which will belong to Hoas and half to AYY. When complete, the building will increase the number of Hoas apartments in Otaniemi up to 686 apartments, bringing their entire apartment stock to 9530. AYY’s apartment stock will rise to 3000.

Regardless of chilly weather, the cornerstone ceremony was witnessed by a full tent of people from AYY, Hoas, the city of Espoo, architectural office Sarc and the construction firm Uusimaan Jatke. The party crowd was entertained by the world’s best technology student orchestra from Aalto University that plays newer French horn music, the Retuperä WBK, whose Hosemaster Leevi Letkutsalo hosted the event with commendable teekkari spirit.

In the opening speech the AYY Board Chairperson Joona Orpana thanked all cooperation partners, and said that he believes that the cornerstone ceremony also set a promise for the best student living in the world for future generations.

“Offering affordable and trustworthy housing for the study years is a critical factor in the international and ambitious student community,” Orpana said. “Several thousand students need to bear the burden of the housing queues, couches of friends or emergency housing when their studies start – quite a zero-sum investment for the changemakers of tomorrow to spring from. Now we finally take a stand against this.”

AYY:’s Chair of Board Joona Orpana signing.

The second speech was held by Kim Lindholm, the Hoas facilities manager. He reminisced of the past in his speech: As little as 50 years ago the first Hoas housing was built to Otaniemi at the plots of the Technical University, when TKY’s own funds were not enough to facilitate the construction project. Now Hoas and AYY are equal partners in this new endeavor, creating strong cooperation.

Lindholm gave special thanks to the construction workers of the site: “Despite the storms of the fall season, heedless of rain, the workers toil away at the site and lend their efforts to the growing Otaniemi campus and its’ students. Their work means a lot more than a mere single construction job – they are a part of building the most important campus area in Finland.”

After the more serious speeches, the Espoo Mayor Jukka Mäkelä spared no humour. “Otaniemi is the poorest postal code area in Finland. In the spirit of Aalto’s gamechanger we could solve this by combining the postal codes of Otaniemi and Westend,” he said.

Mäkelä’s speech wasn’t merely jokes, however. According to him a world-class city like Espoo already has a world-class university and research. The building of the Aalto Village continues the tradition of trailblazing and creates new utopias of living. He finished off with one last joke: “Let’s hope we can all arrive to the roofing ceremony of this building with the West Metro.”

Last but not least, Letkumestari Letkutsalo presented the CEO of Jatke Uusimaa, Hannu Anttonen. “Without Jatke, we could not be here and pat each other on the back and focus on drinking bubbly”, he said. Anttonen started his speech traditionally: Not from ancient Romans but rather ancient Babylonians.

“The tradition of setting the cornerstone was born in ancient Babylon”, he told the audience. “Throughout history, the setting of the cornerstone has been believed to ward off demons, and the event has even seen human and animal sacrifice. Nowadays we gladly don’t believe in demons and nothing needs to be sacrificed, but the tradition of cooperation continues.”

Anttonen continued with the promise that Jatke will present 262 new apartments to AYY and Hoas by the turn of 2018 and 2019. “And we promise that we’ll accomplish it without any hiccups.”

Set inside the cornerstone, a tube was set with a letter to future generations, the day’s Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, the coins used in Finland and some student life-related paraphernalia from student magazine Aino and overall patches to a bottle of traditional alcohol.

This was followed by a glass of sparkling wine and much patting of backs, with RWBK providing the tunes.

AYY’s board member Emmi Kosomaa throwing cement.

Miestentie 2, Espoo

Employers: Aalto University Student Union AYY and Foundation for Student Housing in the Helsinki Region Hoas

Main contractor: Jatke Uusimaa OY

Architect: Arkkitehtitoimisto Sarc OY, architect Sarlotta Narjus

Electrical planning: Sähkösuunnittelu Elbox Oy, Matias Hyvönen

Building planning: RI-plan Oy, Jyri Laurinantti

LVIA-planning: Livair Or, Kari Ruottinen

Ground surveys: Severi Anttonen KY, Severi Anttonen

Photos and text: Katarina Vesikko, AYY’s communications officer

2.11.2017

AYY condemns the vandalism of AYY Representative Council election advertisements

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It has come to the attention of the Student Union that the Representative Council election advertisements have been vandalized. AYY condemns election vandalism and harassment happening both in the public and online. All electoral alliances and candidates have the right to carry out their electoral work. AYY will only intervene in advertising if it is harassing, against the rules, or if vandalism takes place.

AYY has heard of a case where the identity and visual material of an electoral alliance have been used to spread racist messages and other values that do not represent the electoral alliance. The parties involved have filed a criminal complaint and the situation is being looked into.

If similar situations arise in the future, please report them to the AYY Central Election Committee. The offended party should also file a criminal complaint.

If an electoral alliance or candidate breaks the regulations given by the Central Election Committee clearly and for their benefit (direct or indirect), the electoral alliance or candidate can be barred from the elections. More information on election sanctions here: /vaalit/election-sanctions/?lang=en

All official posters can be found on AYY’s Facebook, and the gallery of candidates can be found at: /vaalit/electoral-alliances/?lang=en

Instructions on electoral advertisements: /vaalit/election-advertising/?lang=en

More information:

Central Election Committee Chairperson Iiro Lehtiniemi: iiro.lehtiniemi@ayy.fi

Central Election Committee Secretary Johanna Pietiläinen: johanna.pietilainen@ayy.fi