Approved by the Council of Representatives on November 15, 2017.

CHAPTER 1

The flag and arms of the Student Union

Section 1

The flag was donated to the Student Union on March 24, 1939 by the female members of the Student Union, female teachers of the University and wives of the University’s teachers. Central to the flag is the golden badge of the Student Union with its symbols: a burning torch, a ring symbolizing eternity, and grains of seed. The colours of the flag are white and green. In the upper left-hand corner of the flag are the city’s coat of arm’s symbols, a boat and waves, and the birth year of the flag, as a reminder of the University’s hometown. The tip of the flagpole is a torch which underlines the high and guiding function of the flag.

Section 2

The flag shall be carried on its own pole, accompanied by a flag patrol formed by two members of the Student Union. Gratitude shall be shown the same way as with the Finnish flag. The flag patrol shall consist of three members of the Student Union. The flag shall be carried by a Board member or by another person authorised by the Board of Executives. The carriers of the flag shall shall wear the Student Union cap. In addition, the flag patrol shall wear the Student Union’s herald ribbons. Two persons shall act as heralds.

Section 3

The Student Union’s coat of arms depicts the Student Union’s golden badge on a green field.

CHAPTER 2

Student Union cap

Section 4

The Student Union cap shall be the Finnish high school graduate cap equipped with the Student Union’s own cap emblem.

CHAPTER 3

Student Union’s ribbons

Section 5

The colours of the Student Union ribbon from the top down shall be white and green. The width of the ribbon shall be 25 millimetres. Members of the Student Union following men’s dress code shall wear the ribbon over the right shoulder down to the left hip. Members following women’s dress code shall wear the ribbon over the left shoulder down to the right hip.

Members of the Student Union shall have the right to purchase the Student Union ribbon. The Board of Executives shall have the right to grant the right to use the ribbon to a person who is not a member of the Student Union.

Section 6

In addition, the Student Union shall have a ribbon of honour (width 70 mm, green field with two narrow white stripes), a green ribbon of merit (width 60 mm), and a ribbon for the Board of Executives and Chairs (green-white, width 50 mm). These special ribbons shall be worn like the Student Union ribbon. Maximum of two ribbons may be worn at a time. Previously given special ribbons may be used throughout the lifetime of the recipient concerned.

Section 7

Ribbons of other student unions may also be worn with JYY’s ribbons during JYY’s events. However, other ribbons shall be worn below JYY’s ribbons.

Section 8

A blue-white herald ribbon shall be used as the Student Union’s herald ribbon.

CHAPTER 4

Student Union’s badges

Section 9

The following badges shall be used in the Student Union:

  • General badges: the member badge and cap emblem (i.e. cockade)
  • Chair badges and the board member badge
  • Special badges: the badge of honour, the badge of merit and the hobby badge

Section 10 – Member badge

The member badge shall be the general badge of the Student Union. Only a member of the Student Union can wear the member badge. The badge shall not be disclosed to a person who is not entitled to use it. The member badge shall be worn like any other pin in general.

The member badge (golden, width 15 mm) shall be worn on the left jacket lapel or on the bodice, except on a ball gown or evening gown. Members of the Student Union shall have the right to purchase the badge.

Section 11 – Cap emblem

Cap emblem (golden, height 15 mm) shall be worn like the original high school graduate lyre.

Members of the Student Union shall have the right to purchase the cap emblem.

Section 12 – The badge of the Chair of the Board and the badge of the Chair of the Council

The badges of the Chair of the Board and the Chair of the Council (golden, height 50 mm) may be worn only on the associated 50 mm wide ribbon and above other badges, unless the person in question has the badge of honour.

Section 13 – The Board member badge

The Board member badge (golden, height 35 mm) shall be worn like the general member badge, but only in academic parties during the Board member’s term of office and on the Board ribbon.

Section 14 – The badge of honour

The badge of honour (golden, height 60 mm) shall be worn on the 70 mm wide ribbon. The ribbon’s colours shall be the same as on the Student Union ribbon, but the other way around. The badge of honour shall be worn above all other badges.

The badge of honour shall be awarded by a decision of the Council of Representatives on the proposal of the Board of Executives. The badge shall be given to an honorary member of the Student Union. The badge may be given to other persons as a special tribute from the Student Union. The Student Union may have up to 20 honorary members at a time.

Section 15 – The badge of merit

The badge of merit (golden, height 50 mm) shall be worn with on its ribbon. If the person concerned has the badge of honour or the badge of the Chair of the Board or the badge of the Chair of the Council, the badge of honour shall be worn below them. The badge shall be worn in festive occasions on the green 60 mm wide ribbon.

The badge of merit may be awarded to a former or current member of the Student Union who has been a long-standing operator at the Student Union. The badge of merit shall be awarded by a decision of the Council of Representatives on the proposal of the Board of Executives.

Section 16 – The hobby badge

The hobby badge (silver, height 15 mm) shall be worn on its ribbon. If the person concerned has the badge of honour or the badge of the Chair of the Board or the badge of the Chair of the Council, the hobby badge shall be worn below them. If a person has both the badge of merit and the hobby badge, they shall be worn on the same ribbon. The hobby badge may be awarded to a former or current member of the Student Union who, during his or her studies, has served creditably for the good of the Student Union. The hobby badge shall be awarded by a decision of the Council of Representatives on the proposal of the Board of Executives.

Section 17

The appointing of honorary members and the awarding of honour, merit and hobby badges shall take place at the anniversary celebration of the Student Union. For special reasons, the Council of Representatives may award badges at another occasion.

CHAPTER 5

Student Union’s standard

Section 18

The Student Union shall have a standard. It shall be 21 centimetres high and 12 centimetres wide. The standard shall bear the badge of the Student Union on a green field. The standard shall also have yellow fringes. The standard may be given to individuals or communities outside of the Student Union who have greatly promoted the Student Union’s goals. The Board of Executives may also decide to give the standard to other domestic or foreign student organizations.

CHAPTER 6

Anniversary

Section 19

The Student Union shall celebrate its anniversary on March 24 in commemoration of the beginning of Finnish education. On this day 1856, Alexander II of Russia read a note in the Finnish Senate suggesting how the establishment of schools for the education of people in rural communities was to be facilitated, and on the same day in 1858 the same ruler approved the Finnish Senate’s proposal for the principles of organizing education for people.

However, the anniversary, if it occurs during Easter or if there are other compelling reasons for changing the date, may be celebrated on another day determined by the Board of Executives.

CHAPT5ER 7

Special regulations

Section 20

When representing the Student Union, members of the Student Union following women’s dress code may carry the ribbon as a rosette, in which case it shall be worn on the left-hand side of the chest. It is also possible to affix a member badge to the rosette or a Board of Executives badge to a rosette made out of the Board of Executives ribbon.

Section 21

The Student Union ribbon and the Board of Executives ribbon must not touch bare skin when worn.

Section 22

During a person’s term of office, the Executive Director shall be entitled to wear the Board of Executives ribbon in Student Union’s own and other academic festivities.

Section 23

Badges of other student unions shall be worn as determined by their standing orders, however, below the badges of JYY.

Section 24

The Board of Executives must keep a list of the recipients of JYY’s badges and banners.