Annual Leaflet
2019–2020
Year of Changes 2019 Aalto University Student Union’s ninth year of operation was particularly marked by change. The Student Union started to implement new strategy goals, elected a new Executive Director and Financial Director, established new job descriptions and approved a plan for the development of community structures. Parliamentary elections, European elections and the Representative Council elections were held during the year.
In the spring, it was AYY’s turn to crown Havis Amanda statue in a spectacular way. In addition, AYY’s new website was launched at the beginning of the autumn. In the autumn, the celebration of AYY10 anniversary year started fantastically with the orientation week. Due to a major investment in the anniversary year, AYY had a record-breaking number of volunteers in 2019–2020 with about 400 volunteers.
The Year in Figures The Student Union had approx. 13,800 members Group’s balance sheet approx. €167M Group’s total return approx. €18.9M Value of AYY’s investments approx. €40M
AYY owned approx. 2,650 student apartments, approx. 88,000 square metres in residential use AYY had more than 200 associations During the year, AYY organised nearly 100 events
Picture: Atte Mäkinen
Solvency ratio 33.7%
Board 2019
Tapio Hautamäki Chair Lumi Ketola Academic Affairs
Iida Palosuo Vice Chair, Services Marianne Honkasaari Student Centre and Artistic Activities
Antti Pentikäinen Social Policy, Municipal Advocacy and Sports
Ellen Heikkilä Real Estate, Campus and Sustainable Development
Taneli Myllykangas International Affairs and Corporate Relations, Archives and Museum
Leila Arstila (formerly Kettunen) Elections, Brand and Academic Affairs
Anna Halsas Organisations, New Students and Council
Olli Kesseli Community, Volunteers and Alumni
2020 – Year of Exceptional Circumstances The year was characterised by the drafting of the new strategy, difficult predictions and looking to the future. AYY reformed the Student Union’s Direction document by utilising a driving force analysis and work on values and combined two strategies into one value-based strategy. The role of the Student Union was emphasised during the pandemic. With the pandemic, AYY had to change as an employer, service organisation and advocate of Aalto University students.
The Year in Figures The Student Union had approx. 14,500 members Group’s balance sheet approx. €165M Group’s total return approx. €17.9M Value of AYY’s investments approx. €41M Solvency ratio 34.5% AYY owned approx. 2,650 student apartments, approx. 88,000 square metres in residential use AYY had more than 200 associations During the year, AYY organised about 50 events, most of them remotely
In addition to the effects of the pandemic, the Student Union participated in public debate on misogyny that arose in the student community at the end of the year. Sustainability was also an important topic of discussion throughout the year. In student housing, the Student Union switched to carbon-neutral electricity and central heating, reducing its carbon footprint significantly.
Board 2020
Olli Kesseli Chair Milja Leinonen Vice Chair, Academic Affairs, Media
Joel Himanen Corporate Relations, Artistic Activities Emily Johnson Student Centre, Campus
Tarmo Kivioja Academic Affairs
Christian Segercrantz Community, Volunteers, Communications, Digitalisation Kimmo Saira Real Estates, Housing, Student Centre
Imran Shamsul New Students, International Affairs, Museum Noora Torpo Associations, Strategy, Alumni, Council
Tua Videman Social Policy, Municipal Advocacy, Sustainable Development, Sports
Representative Council Year 2019 Ten meetings during the 2019 term. The Representative Council decided on the development of community structures, revision of the Student Union Constitution, Technical Student Meeting outlining the culture of technical students, and approved the letter of intent on the Student Centre as the only party to the project.
In the Representative Council elections in the autumn 2019, 45 new council members were elected. The biggest winner of the groups was the Greener Aalto, which tripled its seats. Werneri Huhtinen was the Chair of the Representative Council.
Representative Council Year 2020 13 meetings during the 2020 term, of which five meetings were exceptionally held remotely. In 2020, the Representative Council decided on scholarships for the coronavirus era, AYY’s strategy, continuation of the Student Centre project and the discontinuation of Student Magazine Aino.
Suvi Vendelin was the Chair of the Representative Council.
COVID-19 Pandemic In 2020, the state of emergency caused by the coronavirus pandemic affected all of AYY’s operations. The effects of the pandemic were reflected in changes in the daily lives of all members of the Aalto community, which is why AYY had to invest even more strongly in supporting the students and associations in the changing situation. AYY actively cooperated with the university and infectious disease authorities, as there were coronavirus exposures on the Otaniemi campus as well. The changed situation forced AYY to re-
organise its activities and switch to remote work completely. A major concern was how to create the sense of community and take care of our members during the pandemic. AYY decided to support students who were not covered by social security due to the effects of the coronavirus. The process of allocating grants to arts and business students was slowed down by an appeal to the Helsinki Administrative Court.
2m
Staff In 2019, the student union management changed. Niko Ferm’s term as Secretary General ended and Elina Nieminen started as the new Executive Director in May. When Financial Director Reija Väätäinen retired, Monika Kivimäki was recruited for the position of Financial Director. Aalto University Student Union has approx. 50 employees. During 2019 and 2020, a total of 31 people were recruited for various positions in AYY. 15 people were hired for permanent employment and 16 for fixed-term employment.
Strategy In 2019, the Student Union began to implement the goals of the strategy approved at the end of 2018. One of the goals of the strategy approved at the end of 2018 was to be a leader in environmental issues, which was one of the major changes in AYY’s operations. During 2020, AYY put major effort in strategy work by involving members, analysing driving forces and adding the values of the Student Union to the new strategy: sustainability, student-centred approach, well-being and a diverse and equal community.
The aim of the strategy reform was to create a unified strategy for AYY, which reflects the members, responds to future challenges faced by the Student Union and supports strategic management and prioritisation.
Student Advocacy The year 2019 was the year of elections: Parliamentary elections, European Parliament election and AYY’s Representative Council elections were held during the year. One of AYY’s main goals before the parliamentary and European Parliament elections was to increase the turnout in Otaniemi and this goal was achieved. In the parliamentary elections, the goal of facilitating the opportunities for non-EU and non-EEA students to reside and stay in Finland was included in the government programme.
Aalto University’s new strategy was completed at the end of 2019, and AYY was closely involved in its preparation and implementation planning. In 2020, the education policy sector resolved problems posed to students by exceptional circumstances in cooperation with the university. AYY prepared for the upcoming municipal elections by meeting all parties and presenting its own municipal election goals.
Sustainable Development In 2019, AYY began to lead the way in environmental issues, as decided in the strategy approved in 2018. AYY started measuring its carbon footprint in all areas of operations. In 2019, AYY’s carbon footprint was 4,000 tCO²eq. In addition, AYY approved new guidelines for sustainable development, which will guide investments in the sustainability of operations
and the reduction of environmental impacts in procurement, events and transport. In the spring of 2019, AYY committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and also encouraged its interest groups to be sustainable. In addition, AYY explored opportunities to compensate for its operations, as well as opportunities for sustainable real estate operations and investment policy.
Member Services, Housing and Property Rental venues and recreational facilities
In 2019 more than
In 2020 more than
bookings
bookings
5,000 4,000 Residential leases
In 2019
In 2020
1,773 1,733 In early 2019, 131 new apartments were completed on Miestentie in cooperation with Hoas. The planning of the second phase of Miestentie student housing started in 2020. The final parts of the renovation of the Jämeräntaival 3–5–7 properties were completed in early 2020. AYY carried out accessibility surveys on rental facilities and introduced access codes and stoves heated by users. Due to coronavirus restrictions, AYY’s rental facilities, residents’ saunas and club rooms were either closed or there were restrictions on the number of users after March 2020.
Home seekers
In 2019
In 2020
2,751 2,891 persons
persons
Van and trailer
In 2020 In 2019 more than more than
600
bookings
230
bookings
Membership survey responses
In 2020
1,438 AYY started to implement a plan for the development of property assets in the Otaniemi area. In addition to planning new production, AYY launched a concept for the maintenance of housing locations, the development of services and modernisation. In addition, AYY aimed at increasing the residents’ comfort of living with a so-called facelift concept in locations where no renovations or modernisation are planned for the near future. The City Planning Committee approved the Otakaari plan for the construction of 700 student apartments.
Student Centre The Student Centre is a project related to the building of the Aalto community. If implemented, the project will bring the activities of AYY, Aalto University Business Students (KY) and Teknologföreningen (TF) under the same roof. The building, located right next to the metro station, is intended to offer something to every Aalto member: facilities, services and a meeting place for people and ideas. In 2019, Saraco was hired as project manager. The project progressed slowly and an attempt was made to streamline the cooperation with a
facilitator. In addition, the parties worked on a letter of intent, which was eventually only approved by AYY’s Representative Council. During 2020, a spatial programme was clarified in the joint project and an architect was selected to continue the work on a design proposal. AYY’s Representative Council also discussed the maximum amount to be invested in the project. However, the discussions were not finished. At the end of the year, negotiations started on the Student Centre constructed by Aalto University Campus & Real Estate ACRE.
Corporate Relations During 2019, 15 contracts were made. Revenue was €81,775, expenses were €70,692 and the profit was €11,083. Due to the pandemic, new sales were almost completely on hold in 2020. Events are an essential part of corporate cooperation and cancelled events result in less revenue, and this was also reflected in the realisation of the corporate relations sector.
Sales resources focused on development work and the establishment of long-term strategic goals for corporate relations. In the future, these goals will ambitiously guide both sales and support for members.
Student Media Student Magazine Aino was AYY’s student media, which was founded in 2009 to improve the cohesion and understanding of the members of the new student union through critical journalism. In the spring of 2019, Aino’s editor-in-chief resigned and the AYY Representative Council decided that Aino will take a publishing break. During the publishing break in 2019–2020, AYY weighed on Aino’s costs and purpose, consulted the community and commissioned reports.
The importance of independent student media was recognised, but Aino also had challenges in its role as a community builder. In 2020, the Representative Council decided to terminate the student media appealing to AYY’s responsible finances and resources, as the money should be used for activities that the majority of our members consider important. These include, for example, events, association grants, volunteering and affordable rental facilities.
Associations and New Students In the autumn of 2019, several English-language degree programmes and new student associations were formed around degree programmes. In 2020, the association sector supported associations by advising in difficult situations and publishing event recommendations in accordance with the prevailing coronavirus recommendations. AYY aimed at being flexible in the allocation of operating grants, which is why the grants were distributed later in the autumn. TTE-Fund supported associations that were affected by the COVID-19.
At the beginning of 2020, the traditional association training was organised in Mikkeli. For the first time, the more extensive training, which is usually held in Otaniemi at the end of the year, was organised remotely. The reception of new students was mainly carried out remotely and in small group meetings. The tutor training sessions for 1,100 students were held remotely and tutoring itself was arranged by using a hybrid model because some students were still in their home countries and meetings had to be avoided in any case.
Events and Volunteers 2019 was an eventful year: AYY crowned the Havis Amanda statue and the Fresher Committee organised Wappupotti fundraising for Mental Health Finland, which raised a total of EUR 22,471. The AYY10 anniversary year was launched in the orientation week and the Otaniemi Night of Arts was organised for the second time. In 2019, the Representative Council approved a plan for the development of community structures. The aim of the plan is to develop the structures of Aalto University to serve the entire community more equally. In 2020, the Section for Artistic Activities and the convening committees Treasurer Committee and Digital Committee were established.
After March 2020, major events had to be cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions: As the coronavirus pandemic struck, most of the Student Union’s 10th anniversary celebrations were postponed. Wappu was celebrated remotely. OUBS and AYY’s associations streamed live broadcasts for students during Wappu. Major events of the autumn and the end of the year were also cancelled as physical events.
As part of the AYY10 anniversary year, AYY launched an app through which active Aalto members raised EUR 20,000 for Save the Children with the help of donors.
Events organised by AYY
Approx.
400
volunteers and positions of trust
In 2019 Approx.
100 events
In 2020 Approx.
50
events
(mostly remote)
Aava Community Section 2019
The year 2019 began with the celebration of the National Fish Soup Day in the form of Fish Soup Trial event. In April, Aava organised Humans vs. Zombies (HvZ) and A! games and launched Wappu celebrations with Aalto Open Air. In April, the section took Havis Amanda’s student cap around the events in Otaniemi and helped to arrange the crowning of the Manta statue. The highlight of the spring events was the organising of AYY’s 9th annual ball in May. The autumn of Aava started by organising Aalto Afterparty in the orientation week, the afterparty for the opening ceremony with about 2,000 people and SuperSillis in cooperation with KY Cultural Committee and Teekkari Section. Events in the late autumn included Aalto Amazing Race, Healthy Appro and Hugo Gala, among others. In addition, Aava’s brand reform was completed, Aava got a new logo and the section members received cloaks.
Aava Community Section 2020
In January, Aava started its operations under a new brand. Aava organised a series of remote challenges in the form of quarantine events. In the summer, Aava managed to organise the popular Smökki Cup volleyball tournament. In August, a laid-back afterwork event HeatWave was organised by the Cultural Section and Teekkari Section’s Party Committee. In September, the situation allowed Aava to organise Humans vs. Zombies safely. Towards the end of the year, Aava planned a new reward system for Aava members, committees under Aava and volunteers in Aava events.
Teekkari Section 2019
In 2019, the events of Teekkari Section remained popular and several events were sold out. The crowning of the Manta statue on Wappu kept the members of Teekkari Section busy: the section helped to arrange a pickup truck for the crowning day procession, and the section was responsible for traditional night crowning with the cap of technical students. Manta was crowned at night by the entire section, accompanied by RWBK orchestra, and the crowning was streamed to Dipoli Wappu party. In September, Teekkari Section organised the Lakinlaskijaiset party and Teekkari Tradition Party. In November, a gravestone was erected for TTYY next to the gravestone of TKY. Teekkari Section gave a grave maintenance commitment to Tampereen Teekkarit as a gift at their first annual celebration.
Teekkari Section 2020
The year got off to a good start at Jämeränjälki and the sold-out Gravitation party. Just before Wappu, the Fresher Committee organised Fuksipeijaiset through remote assignments, and 700 technical student caps were mailed to freshers. The Hosts and Hostesses meritoriously developed the concept of remote academic dinners in the Remote Wappu Sitsit arranged for the entire Otaniemi. The traditional Tour de Walpuri checkpoints were arranged via remote connections. Dipoli Wappu had to be cancelled, but with the help of OUBS, Teekkari Section and the Party Committee arranged Wappulive broadcast with artists on Wappu night. In the summer, the Party Committee, KUJ and FestTMK co-organised the Heatwave outdoor festival at Alvar Square. During the orientation week, ISO Committee and Fresher Committee excelled in producing video material for ISO training sessions and fresher orientation. Lakinlaskijaiset was held as a ceremonial event at the Otaniemi sports field, and the event could also be followed remotely. The events of the Teekkari Tradition Week were cancelled, but the Precentor Committee organised the first quartet competitions in Otaniemi. During the summer and autumn, the section started to plan the new edition of the red songbook for the Teekkarius 150 anniversary year.
Campus Section 2019
In addition to projects focusing on the comfort of living and comfort on campus, the Campus Section also aimed at creating remote events that increase the sense of community through digitalisation, while preserving the traditionality and prestigious nature of events. During the year, the declaration of Wappu rowdiness, Village Clean-Up and Flower Day were reformed. The Village Living Room got a new red brick grill and the Campus Section launched a hugely popular Cards Against Otaniemi game at the beginning of the year. The composition of the section has changed in international affairs and artistic activities sectors.
Campus Section 2020
The Campus Section celebrates its five-year journey in the new decade. Although the actual festivities were postponed, the daily life of the section has been filled with joyful activities. Great examples of this are the recording of the declaration of Wappu rowdiness in a digital format in cooperation with several interest groups, representing the section in annual celebrations at the beginning of the year and organising recreational events that raise the common spirit, such as play days and summer days.
Museum Section 2019
During the year, the Polytechnical Students’ Museum was under renovation and normal museum activities were on hold. The activities of the section were minimal, focusing on renovation plans and implementation, as well as representing the section.
Museum Section 2020
A new renovation committee was recruited to complete the delayed renovation. Along with the renovation, the museum was extended to present the entire community and the brand of the museum was renewed. Tours for freshers in the renovated museum started in early 2021. Changes were made to the volunteer structure of the museum for 2021, making it more in line with other sections. The new structure consists of a smaller and more active museum section, where each member has their own responsibilities. The section includes a museum committee that gathers together the museum guides and the Marmon committee that takes care of the historical car of the Student Union.
Section for Artistic Activities TaiTo 2020
Section for Artistic Activities was recruited for the first time for the year 2020. The Section continued in the footsteps of the 2019 Artistic Activities Steering Group and was given the name TaiTo. Due to the coronavirus situation, TaiTo could not organise planned events, but launched an online art challenge Creapril in the spring. In the autumn, TaiTo participated in the accumulation of AYY’s art collection and the Otaniemi Night of Arts event was adapted into a Christmas calendar form “Otaniemi Walk of Arts”, which presented campus art in Otaniemi. In 2021, TaiTo will not continue its operations, but the organisation of artistic activities and policies will continue.