History
The Student Union of the University of Jyväskylä has grown alongside Finnish higher education, from the days of the teacher training seminary into a community of a modern multidisciplinary university. For decades, the student union has been a central part of student life, advocacy, and community in Jyväskylä.
A look into JYY’s history
The history of the Student Union of the University of Jyväskylä, or JYY, is naturally tied to the history of the university itself. The university’s roots lie in the teacher seminar established in 1863, where Finland’s first Finnish‑speaking teachers were trained. In 1934, the seminar was transformed into the College of Education, and it was at that time that the student union also came into being. Back then, however, JYY was known as JKKY – the Student Union of the Jyväskylä College of Education.
In 1967, the college became a university, marking the beginning of its journey toward the multidisciplinary university it is today. At the same time, the student union’s name was changed, and the name JYY, still in use today, was adopted.
Throughout its history, JYY has been a significant developer and builder. Its most notable projects include the student house Ilokivi, completed in 1964–65 and still home to JYY’s office, as well as the Kortepohja Student Village, the construction of which began in 1968.
A history of JYY’s first 70 years has been written – Nuoruus ja toivo, authored by Marko Lamberg.