The 25-year-old SAVOTTA Student Union is part of students’ everyday life
The SAVOTTA Student Union is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, culminating in an annual party at Hotel Puijonsarvi on 5th October. A varied programme is planned for the anniversary week, from saunas to donations of treasures from the stocks. In addition to the Jubilee Week, there will also be a students’ wellbeing week.
-Otherwise, we celebrate mainly through work, by looking after the interests of students,” says Juha Asikainen, SAVOTTA’s Executive Director.
From the very beginning of studying, SAVOTTA is present in the students’ everyday lives in many ways. Jonne Heikkinen, Chair of the Student Union’s Board, explains that the aim is to meet all incoming students and student groups from the very beginning of their studies.
-We want to be an approachable community. If you want to make a difference, big or small, there are good channels through us. This is a student-led activity and it is important that it is student-generated,” he says.
-On the first few days, people ask questions about things like student overalls, how to use a student card and about membership benefits.
From chicken sandwiches to student advocacy
According to Heikkinen, when the average student on the Kuopio campus hears the name SAVOTTA, the first thing that probably comes to mind is delicious chicken triangle sandwiches, which are particularly popular in the cafés run by the Student Union. On other campuses, the emphasis is on organising events and tutors. So SAVOTTA is involved in the lives of students in very basic ways.
Juha Asikainen suspects that students do not always realise how many things, services and events are organised by the student union.
-If in the early stages of studies we are occupied with concrete issues, later on our legal role as student advocates is emphasised.
The tasks of the Students’ Union are defined in the Law on Universities of Applied Sciences. SAVOTTA has summed up its purpose in three points: to make studying easier, more fun and cheaper.
Naturally, SAVOTTA hopes that as many students as possible will become members. The key is that students get value for money they pay. To get benefits and fun, but also financial savings in the form of membership fees.
Students need breaks and opportunities to interact
Having fun is an essential part of student life. Events and activities bring a much-needed change to everyday life and allow students to socialise.
-Not everyone is a go-getter, but enjoys being at home more, and that’s OK too. But for many, student life is still very important and we try to create opportunities for it. It’s also a big thing to be able to stay at school and chat with friends or hang out in a café during the day, for example playing board games,” says Jonne Heikkinen.
There is close cooperation with student associations in different subjects. For example, a strong student overalls culture is alive and well. The more unique patches are created and collected at various events.
Although the student culture is alive and well, Heikkinen and Asikainen are also concerned. The barrier to getting involved and participating has risen. People wish to participate in various events, but the decision to do so or stay at home is made at the last minute. The same thing can also be seen in sports services.
-The pressure and anxiety felt by students is evident. As student incomes have been cut, more and more people are working while studying. It is understandable that there may not be enough energy for social interaction. On the other hand, it would be important to have someone to talk to. Fortunately, most people can,” Heikkinen says.
The importance of the Student Union and the community as a whole increases in a situation like this.
-We have a rather unique situation in which the student union and Savonia UAS cooperate so closely with each other. There are only few places like this.
Asikainen agrees.
-Savonia UAS has for a long time recognised that it is worth investing in the student community. We share the same goals as the Savonia: a Great Place to Learn. We are in close cooperation with each other all the time in discussions and development work. It is certainly no coincidence that Savonia is one of the most attractive universities of applied sciences and SAVOTTA one of the largest student unions in the country.