Statements
17.4.2024
Statement: Decision Impacting Students' Livelihood
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The government is reverting students back to the housing allowance under student financial aid
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In 2017, significant changes were made to how students receive financial aid. They were shifted to the general housing allowance, but now the government wants to move them back to the housing allowance under student financial aid. This change severely impacts students' ability to sustain themselves, particularly those living independently.
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Students only receive the housing allowance when they receive student financial aid. This heightens financial uncertainty among students, adversely affecting their mental well-being. Additionally, it increases their reliance on support, particularly during the summer. This change expedites students' accumulation of debt since they cannot access income support until they take out student loans.
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Previous government cuts disproportionately burdened young people and students, causing widespread concern about their financial stability. It is unjust for students to face further cuts. Enhancing our nation's education necessitates financially stable students who can dedicate themselves to their studies. This will enable them to enter the workforce with resilience, contributing to society by repaying their debts.
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It's crucial for the government to remember that society is made up of individuals, including students. Therefore, it's essential for the government to reconsider this decision and keep the housing allowance under the general housing system instead of moving it back to the student financial aid system. This would bolster students' financial security and support their academic pursuits.
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Author:
Sanja Laitinen-Lindelöf
Chairperson of O'Diako's Board
9.4.2024
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Sattement: Against the sale of the Saiku Student House
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The City of Pori prides itself on being Finland's top student city and has involved students in its plans. But it's contradictory to this image when they put up the only place where all students gather for sale. This move has hurt their trust with students. To stay true to their plan, the city should take the Saikku Student House off the selling list.
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Pointer, SAMMAKKO, and O'Diako are against selling the Satakunta Student House Saikku. If Saikku is sold, it'll harm student life in Pori, damaging our sense of togetherness and hurting student groups financially, as they'd have to rent spaces elsewhere.
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As student unions and associations, we've put a lot into keeping Saikku going, both financially and through our efforts. If it's sold, all that effort will be lost. Saikku is vital for student unions, a place where bonds are formed and cherished memories made. It's the only spot where all students come together. Selling it would mean losing a big part of Pori's student culture.
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20.2.2024
Statement: The draft regulations concerning the renewal of the funding model of universities of applied sciences
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Diakonia University of Applied Sciences student union O'Diako spoke about the Ministry of Education and Culture's draft of the government's proposal to the parliament to amend the University Act and the University of Applied Sciences Act. The presentation discusses, among other things, the full coverage of tuition fees for students coming from outside the EU/EEA, measures to prevent the evasion of tuition fees, on-demand training and the refund of the university application processing fee for applicants with education completed elsewhere than in the EU/EEA area.
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The presented funding model penalizes those universities and sectors with a lot of industry changers (for example, social security sector). Emphasizing funding on first-time students does not automatically increase the number of first-time students, but it increases the pressure on first-time students to choose their first university place. Losing a first-time degree is a difficult place for many, because after losing it, it is more difficult to get into higher education when there are fewer places to start. The first-time quota is also discriminatory for people from different backgrounds.
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The higher education institution's opportunities to influence students' graduation are quite small. Students' graduation is affected, for example, by income and cuts to it, which the university cannot influence. Cuts in students' livelihoods increase students' stress and thus worsen their study well-being and drive students to work to an increasing extent. All of these slow down the progress of studies. Calculating the coefficient of another degree of the same level, on the other hand, weakens the opportunities for developing one's own competence. We see that calculating the coefficient can encourage higher education institutions to increase the quota for first-time students, which makes it difficult to change fields and retrain. It would be important to support these so that there is enough skilled labor in the business life of the future.
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The goal that the skills of persons with a Finnish personal identification number should be utilized in Finnish working life (OKM 2024, 48) and strengthen the probabilities of staying in Finland must be understood. However, taking into account that obtaining a Finnish personal identification number can be particularly challenging for those who would benefit most from the credits of an open university of applied sciences, we would see that the proposal has a negative effect, especially when thinking about the study opportunities of asylum seekers. This also does not increase opportunities in terms of working life, as there is also a need for opportunities to supplement an already completed degree. The change should not weaken the realization of internationality in higher education nor reduce, let alone prevent, opportunities for participation.
We agree with the goals of the funding model to increase the number of people with higher education, but we see that the Performance Focus of the funding model does not promote the quality of teaching or the well-being of the higher education community. The emphasis on rapid graduation has a detrimental effect on both learning and the quality of teaching, so that students do not have time to deepen their studies and develop expertise in their own field. It is not beneficial for the business world if the number of people with higher education increases but the quality of education is not invested.
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Diakonia-ammattikorkeakoulun opiskelijakunta O'Diakon puolesta,
Sanja Laitinen-Lindelöf
O'Diakon hallituksen puheenjohtaja
22.12.2023
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Statement: Complaint Regarding the Impact of Procurement Law on Service Providers' Rights in the Tendering of Interpretation Services for Disabled Individuals
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Some interpreter students at Diakonia University of Applied Sciences have filed a complaint. This complaint, brought to the attention of O'Diako's chairperson by Sini Niemi from the interpreter center, concerns the application of procurement law in the tendering process for interpretation services for people with disabilities. At the request of the interpreter students, Karri Soppi, a lecturer and study counselor at Diakonia University of Applied Sciences, has forwarded the complaint. The drafting of the complaint has received assistance from Anna Zibellini, a labor law attorney at Akava Special Sectors, and the sign language interpreter working group of the Language Experts Association.
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On behalf of Diakonia University of Applied Sciences' student union, O'Diako,
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Sanja Laitinen-Lindelöf
Chairperson of the Board of O'Diako
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13.10.2023
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Statement: Ensuring Students' Financial Security
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As students take on part-time jobs while studying, their ability to focus on their studies may suffer. This could lead to higher dropout rates, delayed graduation, and burnout. Students deserve time for hobbies and well-being beyond just getting by.
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Some students rely on adult education allowances to fund their studies. Many worry that changes to these allowances could disrupt their financial stability.
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Already burdened with loans for housing and groceries, students face even greater challenges as housing support decreases, leaving less money for nutritious food.
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While cuts to support programs may heighten students' financial anxiety and affect their mental well-being, the government is also considering reductions in mental health services. Supporting students' mental health is crucial for their academic success and overall well-being, and this cannot be achieved by cutting essential services.
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Investing in students benefits society as a whole by producing skilled professionals and advocates for positive change. The students of today are the future leaders who will keep our society thriving. It is our collective responsibility to provide them with the support they need during this crucial time.
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Elina Juntunen
CEO, Rector
Diakonia University of Applied Sciences
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Sanja Laitinen
Board Member, Student
Diakonia University of Applied Sciences
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8.12.2022
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Tuition Fees and Scholarship System: A Threat to Student Equality
In a memo released by the Ministry of Finance on December 8th, it was suggested that universities could improve their funding by introducing tuition fees. Shortly after, Yle reported that university leaders were considering this move. The idea is that tuition fees could help enhance education quality and fill the funding gap needed for improvements. Under this plan, students would fund tuition through loans meant to cover living expenses during studies. However, students already struggle financially, with rising living costs and loan reliance pushing them below the poverty line.
Free education is vital for Finnish society, ensuring equal access for all. Yet, there's a concerning trend of viewing students as merely workforce tools, disregarding their inherent value. There's a push to shorten study time, increase credit requirements, and shift student support towards loans, all while student distress grows, living costs soar, and university resources shrink. However, students are the future workforce that Finland relies on, and neglecting their needs now is short-sighted.
Student unions ASK, Helga, HUMAKO, Laureamko, and O’Diako highlight that tuition fees from non-EU/EEA students have had minimal impact on university finances or education quality. Introducing tuition fees contradicts the Ministry of Education and Culture's goals to improve education and ease students' transition into the workforce. It's likely that less affluent students would need more gap years to finance their degrees if fees were introduced.
The Ministry of Finance acknowledges that tuition fees exacerbate inequality and suggests a scholarship system based on academic performance as an alternative. While this might offer opportunities to talented, less affluent students, it would not benefit the wealthiest. However, it would increase pressure to perform well in school, starting from an early age, undermining the pursuit of equal educational opportunities.
Finnish society needs more educated individuals to face future challenges, but tuition fees would hinder this goal. While securing university funding is important, tuition fees are not the answer.
On behalf of Arcada Student Union – ASK,
Ida Flemmich
ida(a)asken.fi
On behalf of Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences Student Union Helga,
Diana Murashkina
On behalf of HUMAK University of Applied Sciences Student Union HUMAKO,
Sini Riihimäki
On behalf of Laurea University of Applied Sciences Student Union Laureamko,
Suvi Nieminen
On behalf of Diakonia University of Applied Sciences Student Union O'Diako,
Halla Kokkonen