Student Representatives
Student representatives play an important role in the University’s representative democracy. They participate in the work of the University’s administrative units and bring the students’ voice and perspective into the decision-making process of the University community.
”My greatest achievements on the Faculty Council have been bringing about concrete changes to the curricula and advocating for free and equally accessible higher education when deciding on student admission policies. Students are truly needed in the decision-making process.”
Ira Vainikainen, Member of the Faculty Council
Student representative in administration
Students’ viewpoints and opinions should be seen and heard at the University. Students’ perspectives can be forgotten in decision-making if the students are not there to tell about it. A student representative in administration is part of the representative democracy at the University and represents themselves and their fellow students in the University’s decision-making.
Finnish universities are based on the idea of an academic community, which is formed by the professors, the university staff and the students. These three groups representatively lead the university in different positioning elements. This way it is ensured that the academic community is using all of its know-how in decision-making.
What is it like to be a student representative?
As a student representative, you get to familiarize yourself with the management of a large scientific institution. In addition to meeting and negotiation skills, you’ll learn about a wide range of administrative matters, such as quality management, personnel matters and educational development. The role also allows you to broaden your understanding of advocating for students’ interests. Meeting fee is also paid to the student representatives participating in the meetings.
The role of a student representative is to represent all students affected by the decisions of the administrative body. The specific duties are outlined in the university’s guiding principles and policies. Below you will find general descriptions of the duties of each administrative body.
The University Board is the highest decision-making body at the university. The university board’s tasks include deciding on the key objectives for the university’s operations and finances, as well as the number of students to be admitted to the university. The board also appoints the university rector.
The University Collegium decides, among other things, on the number of members of the University Board, their term of office, and their remuneration. In addition, the University Collegium appoints members from outside the university community to the University Board and approves the university’s financial statements.
The University of Jyväskylä has six faculties, whose highest decision-making authority is exercised by the faculty councils. Their tasks include steering the faculty’s activities and finances and developing education. In addition, the faculty council decides on the faculty’s curricula and makes proposals on the number of new students to be admitted to the faculty.
The tasks of the board of independent institutions include evaluating and developing the institution’s activities. In addition, the board approves the institution’s operating and financial plan and makes a proposal for the appointment of the institution’s director. The following independent institutions have student representation on their boards:
- Open University promotes and develops lifelong and continuous learning.
- Open Science Center is responsible for, for example, the university library.
- Kokkola University Center Chydenius offers adult education and conducts research to support it.
- Centre for Multilingual Academic Communication – Movi is responsible for communication and language studies included in degrees and promotes the internationalization at the university.
The Appeals Committee is responsible for handling students’ appeals in accordance with the university’s degree regulations. Appeals may relate to matters such as student selection or the assessment of theses or coursework.
The University of Jyväskylä is a member of the European FORTHEM university alliance. Its goal is to create cooperation between the universities belonging to the alliance in the fields of education, research, and social interaction. The FORTHEM Student Council is a representative body composed of students, whose task is to make the students’ voices heard in the university alliance.
The primary responsibility of the Normaalikoulu Board is to promote cooperation between the school and the students’ parents or guardians. The dean of the Faculty of Education and Psychology appoints up to 16 members to the board. The student representatives on the board are elected annually.
Apply to be a student representative
The recruitment and selection of student representatives for the university administration at JYY is governed by the regulations on student representatives (in Finnish). The duties of the University of Jyväskylä’s administrative bodies are defined in the University of Jyväskylä Regulations.
Eligibility requirements
Persons who are eligible to fulfill the eligibility requirements for student representatives in university administration are those who have the right to complete a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, licentiate degree, or doctoral degree at the University of Jyväskylä. When electing student representatives to the Faculty Council, only persons who are eligible to complete a degree in the faculty in question are eligible.
Persons who are employed full-time by the university and who, under the university’s election rules, are eligible to vote and stand for election as members of the university staff are not eligible to be student representatives. The Student Union’s the regulations on student representatives (§ 5-7) provide more detailed information on eligibility requirements in Finnish.
Application period
Applications for new student representatives are accepted every other year between September and October. The next application period will be held in 2027, and more detailed application instructions and schedules will be announced closer to the next application period. During the term of the representatives, supplementary recruitment will be conducted as needed and without undue delay, but generally in such a way that multiple positions are announced simultaneously.
Any questions?
If you have any questions regarding the student representative selection process, please contact the JYY’s Specialist in Academic Affairs.
Minea Nirhamo
Specialist in Academic Affairs
+358 50 330 1025