In English: The Great Visiiri Representative Election Survey

Visiiri magazine asked each list of candidates about their objectives for the Trey Representative Council term.

The election has 19 lists of candidates this year, three of whom are single-candidate lists (Anarkia, MaRa, TanaVipa) and the rest are multi-candidate electoral alliances. Based on the survey, the common themes seem to be furthering equality and supporting student associations. An impressive ten lists named supporting associations a priority, and almost a third of the lists are using their voices on behalf of equality. Another important topic was implementing principles for safer spaces in all university and student-union activity. Most of the lists would also like to either stop raising the membership fee or lower it. Three lists wish to re-examine the funding to Visiiri magazine.

Strengthening the community is also an important theme in this post-COVID-years election. Six lists brought it up as an important topic. Hallintotieteiden liitto (a list of candidates from administrative sciences) named some of their election themes to be preventing loneliness and supporting student mental health.

“We can get wide-scale benefits to the whole student scene by supporting associations and doing things such as widening and targeting trainings about how to take people’s diversity into account and how to support people’s ability to cope”, they say in their answer to the Visiiri election survey.

This election also features four political lists: Keskeiset (political centre), Oikeisto-opiskelijat (political right), Vihreä lista (politically green) and Viva (political green left). The political lists have a strong drive for societal influence and student advocacy, although other lists also highlighted advocacy work as important. Oikeisto-opiskelijat and Keskeiset made a note about responsible finances and the core duties of the Student Union. The business students’ list Vapaaboomarit would also focus on student union finances.

“In our experience, we highlight fiscal responsibility more than other lists because we believe that, as an organisation who collects a membership fee, we then have responsibility to use our members’ money appropriately”, they comment.

Principles for safer spaces and ecological matters were also brought up in several answers, especially by the green left.

“Ridding the university community of discrimination, harassment and racism is a task in which the student union must spur on the university and make the community genuinely a safer space for everyone. Discrimination is swept under the rug too often, and people feel like they lack either the courage or the ability to stop it. Training for these situations is needed both for student movement actives and university personnel”, Viva explain.

International Representatives Group participates in the election with an international focus and wants to bring Finnish and international students closer to each other.

“Our main theme is equal representation in student affairs regardless of background, study field or language as well as holistic sustainability. This means improving social accessibility for internationals and lowering the threshold between international and Finnish students, so that everyone can benefit from diversity and internationalization.”

The electoral alliances, i.e. the lists with multiple candidates, have also formed electoral circles among themselves. The council spots in an electoral circle are divided between the lists relative to the number of votes received by each list. Introductions to the electoral alliances and more information on the electoral circles is available on the TREY election page. The list of candidates, including the candidate numbers, can be found at this link.

The great Visiiri election survey and the answers

1. How does your electoral list differ from all the others?

Brothers and Sisters of Alpha-Chemistry (science and engineering, bioengineering, environmental and energy engineering and material engineering):

We are a communal and politically unaffiliated list of students from the guilds Hiukkanen (science and engineering), Bioner (bioengineering), YKI (environmental and energy engineering) and MIK (material-engineering sciences).

Hallintotieteiden liitto (administrative sciences):

HALLI has traditionally been the most active group. We have a strong internal democracy education and a low threshold for participation. We consist mostly of students of administrative sciences but the doors have traditionally been open for all who agree with our values and objectives.

International Representatives Group:

We are a multidisciplinary and diverse group of international and Finnish students. Because of this, the IRG has a unique perspective on student life from both a Finnish and an international point of view.

Kahden Tähden Teekkarit:

Kahden Tähden Teekkarit is, unlike traditional guild alliances, a list based on shared values. It is important for us to maintain teekkari spirit and look into matters properly and think about them from multiple perspectives. Being interdisciplinary is also valuable because meeting people from different backgrounds is what makes it possible to really consider various perspectives. And our list does include people other than teekkarit as well!

KeltainenPunainenSininen (automation technology, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering):

We represent students from automation technology, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering, and we advocate for their rights. We represent some of the biggest and oldest study fields in Hervanta. In the council, we’re advocating both for our own fields and teekkari culture in general.

Keskeiset (political centre):

Voting for a political list gives students better consumer protection because political lists talk about their goals more precisely and accept responsibility. We Keskeiset are different from all the other lists in that we support the regional student loan forgiveness scheme. Eastern Finland in particular has taken a big hit from the restrictions. Of course this isn’t decided on in the TREY council, but through the council you influence the student union Executive Board and through them, SYL (the National Union for University Students in Finland), for example.

Kontakti (liberal arts, social sciences and science):

Kontakti is a genuinely multidisciplinary and unaffiliated list. Kontakti unites small liberal arts, social science and science fields who often get little attention in decision-making. We will amplify your voice, whether you’re a fresher or a post-grad student!

Kyltyrböndet:

We are a multidisciplinary group of extremely smart and charming individuals who have a soft spot for association work, culture and community.

Luuppi_Puolue (mathemathics, statistics and computer sciences):

We are different from all the other lists in that we advocate for the students of mathematics, statistics and computer sciences.

Medaattorit (medical students):

Medaattorit is a group of medical students and the only group from the Kauppi campus.

Oikeisto-opiskelijat (political right):

You’ll know your vote genuinely represents your views if you vote for us. Oikeisto-opiskelijat is an interdisciplinary group that represents right values. Our candidates are united in their values whose foundation lies in the belief in freedom, democracy, education and culture, and sustainable development.  We are rational bearers of responsibility and stand tall for our values. Our list consists of experts with strong views and experience of decision-making. Our values, objectives and policies are clear and student focused.

Pro Kasvatustieteilijät (educational science):

We are students of educational science, and we bring educational expertise to the council. Educational science gives a working basis for making decisions about educational affairs.

Students in civil engineering, architecture, industrial engineering, and information and knowledge management (RATTOISA):

We represent interdisciplinary, politically unaffiliated advocacy. We want to offer students opportunities for low-threshold advocacy and conversations about student union matters.

Vapaaboomarit (business administration):

Vapaaboomarit is first and foremost a list for people interested in subject association work.  Subject associations, hobby associations and other associations are all near and dear to us. We are a diverse bunch with experience in educational affairs, social affairs, tutoring and associations. We don’t take council work too seriously because it’s about working together. We do not see artificial borders between council groups or circles, but we focus on mutual work to benefit the Student Union. In our experience, we highlight fiscal responsibility more than other lists because we believe that, as an organisation who collects a membership fee, we then have responsibility to use our members’ money appropriately. That is why we have been reserved about new and expensive ventures such as home delivery of the Visiiri magazine.

Vihreä lista (politically green):

Vihreä lista unites the green-minded candidates at the TREY representative election. Central values on the list are equality, ecological sustainability and advocacy on behalf of students. All candidates on the list are committed to these values. The Student Union must be an active advocate not only locally but also nationally. Problems such as the mental health crisis, FSHS wait times or the non-liveable student financial aid cannot be solved locally. They require national influencing and active advocacy work. We need a liveable basic income, a therapy guarantee and supplementary state support for FSHS. For us, TREY and the student movement are the mouthpieces of students whether it is about mental health services, the climate crisis or cuts to the facilities in campus development. We want to make a Student Union that is more impactful, sustainable and representative of its members! By voting for us, you can be sure your representatives agree with your values.

Viva (political green left):

Viva is much more than just a council list. Viva is societally active both within the university and outside of it, and its purpose is to remind everyone that politics are a part of student activity and student activity is a part of society. An active student association is in the background of the Viva council list, so Viva is able to organise campaigns and events and actively give statements whenever necessary. The Viva list is interdisciplinary, and its goal is not just to advocate for the students of a certain field, but Viva attempts to advocate for all students and their well-being at the university and on a wider, societal scale.

Antti Sarjanen (Anarkia):

I point my own way.

Matias Rajalin (MaRa):

I know what must be done.

Tanapaksorn Vipavin (TanaVipa):

I see that the TREY student union holds a crucial role in the student life course. Not only it exercises the executive power as student representatives, but also a support unit to reinforce students to achieve the optimum potential. I grew up in the capital city of Thailand, lived in the USA and South Korea, and have accumulated more than 10 years with a professional business background in project management for the retails and service industry. I will promote the importance of diversity and bring the values of international environment development to Tampere University. 

2. What is the leading theme in your electoral campaign?

Brothers and Sisters of Alpha-Chemistry (science and engineering, bioengineering, environmental and energy engineering and material engineering):

A focus on community and associations. We also attempt to bring the Student Union closer to the average student and concentrate on matters that are relevant to everyday student life.

Hallintotieteiden liitto (administrative sciences):

Our focus points are 1. Community and cooperation 2. High-quality education and educational policy 3. Good administration and societal responsibility.

HALLI values include equality, association focus and a strong Student Union.

International Representatives Group:

Our main theme is equal representation in student affairs regardless of background, study field or language as well as holistic sustainability. This means improving social accessibility for internationals and lowering the threshold between international and Finnish students, so that everyone can benefit from diversity and internationalization.

Kahden Tähden Teekkarit:

We hope to inspire teekkaris especially, but also students in general, to vote en masse. Let’s bring the low voter turnout among teekkaris up!

KeltainenPunainenSininen (automation technology, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering):

We are familiar faces at the guilds and voting for us is a surefire way to get council representatives who advocate for what’s important to the guilds. Familiar faces are trustworthy, and we like to think we are easily approachable in council business.

Keskeiset (political centre):

In our electoral circle, we have a shared idea about fiscal responsibility in a student union. You could ask what the core duties of a student union are and how they could be covered better.

Kontakti (liberal arts, social sciences and science):

Making small study fields visible. As a multidisciplinary group, we know how to remind others of the existence of small fields and the importance of a multidisciplinary university, and how to build cooperation within the council and the university. Many of us are from fields whose students and specialists are but a small stream in the grand rapids of our big university. This is why, in the decision-making process, we want to highlight the often lesser resources that small fields have to make student union and university wishes come true.                                 

Kyltyrböndet:

A sharp lead.

Luuppi_Puolue (mathemathics, statistics and computer sciences):

A more united and equal student union 2022.

Medaattorit (medical students):

We advocate for the Kauppi campus and an association-based student union.

Oikeisto-opiskelijat (political right):

Oikeisto-opiskelijat wants to promote more flexible and free student life. We believe in individual freedom: everyone must have an opportunity to build a study path that works for them. Getting a degree cannot hinge on useless mandatory presence requirements. The future of students must be built on a strong foundation while making sure no one gets left behind. Mental health problems have exploded on us and the FSHS doesn’t serve students well enough. We want to change this. Student union and state money must be spent logically and with due consideration, by investing in what is genuinely essential. We want to dismantle organisational overlap so that operatives can concentrate on their core duties.

Pro Kasvatustieteilijät (educational science):

We are promoting transparent and visible student union operations, equality and accessibility, and being active members of society. In addition, letting go of the Virta building is a current issue for educational sciences students in particular. This is why we want to promote the securing and existence of association and teaching facilities. More walls!

RATTOISA (civil engineering, architecture, industrial engineering, and information and knowledge management):

Advocating for student associations in the changing higher education landscape.

Vapaaboomarit (business administration):

Subject associations have done a lot of work over COVID times in order to attach new students to the student community. We are concerned that the Student Union remains distant to many despite these efforts. This is likely to be visible in voter turnout as well. For a representative body to be really representative, we believe it’s important that as many student union members as possible exercise their right to vote. That is the only way to compile a council that is genuinely representative of our diverse student body. At Vapaaboomarit, we believe we can help students understand why voting in the student union election is important by discussing concrete and relevant matters, such as the services, advice, training and support that TREY offers to associations.

Vihreä lista (politically green):

An equal student union and university community requires work. TREY has done well in implementing the principles of equality in associations, but for example the principles for safer spaces should be a part of association activity in all associations. The university community must be a space for learning and science that is safe and free from discrimination, harassment and racism. The university must train their personnel on the equality plan and get all the community members to really commit to the principles. TREY can be an equality forerunner to the university. Sufficient support services and functional and accessible information systems are also a part of equality. Students have the right to get help for their study-related problems from the university at the right time and with regard to individual needs. We must have more study counselling psychologists and functional cooperation with the FSHS, the city and the county.

Viva (political green left):

Viva’s goal is to work towards a more equal, solidary and democratic university and society. These are overarching themes that will also be present over the upcoming council term.

This year, our focus points are student safety, the climate crisis and a political and democratic university community. Safety is related to many themes that are relevant to all of us, such as securing student well-being and income, highlighting principles for safer spaces at the university and the student community, and securing a future for students. Our second theme is the climate crisis because it has already gone too far, and climate matters are relevant to all students now and in the future. Our third theme is politicising the university and student union both in and outside of the community, and transparency, openness and democracy in decision-making.

Antti Sarjanen (Anarkia):

I do not understand this question.

Matias Rajalin (MaRa):

My campaign focuses on concrete improvement suggestions, promises and ideas.

Tanapaksorn Vipavin (TanaVipa):

The theme of my campaign is “Active Citizen.” My main objective is to encourage collaborations and participation across student, faculties and staff bodies. The Finland society is changing rapidly and even the city of Tampere is steering towards internationalization, and communication is the master key. I think all members of Tampere University are free to contribute their opinions and express their ideas to shape the future of our institution. The university should be a safe space and achieve a beacon of internationalization for the kind of future society we are heading to.  

3. How would you promote voting activity and general interest in student politics?

Brothers and Sisters of Alpha-Chemistry (science and engineering, bioengineering, environmental and energy engineering and material engineering):

By connecting the importance of voting to everyday student life and by making dank memes.

Hallintotieteiden liitto (administrative sciences):

This is an ever-present question. All students should find voting and making your voice heard significant, both as an idea and in practice. Council and student union activity and operations must be more widely visible to students.

International Representatives Group:  

We can increase voting activity by bringing awareness to the international community about council elections and providing pertinent information in English. It is important to highlight the rights of all students in influencing and being part of decision making within the university.

Kahden Tähden Teekkarit:

Let’s get events and a good buzz going on the campuses! Post COVID, we have a lot of people on campus again, so let’s bring the action to them. Also wouldn’t mind it if the university offered some support for election communications. And sticker packs always work. Let’s make the council election Visible!

KeltainenPunainenSininen (automation technology, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering):

We will be reminding guild members that this is a big and easy opportunity to make their voices heard.

Keskeiset (political centre):

By communicating about how things are currently done and how they should be done.

Kontakti (liberal arts, social sciences and science):

With human-centred communications. Many students don’t really know what the council and the student union make decisions on. The first four years of the student union have been about creating and stabilising our operations. Over the next two years, our most important task is to build even more communality in the student culture in Tampere. The student union becomes interesting when people identify with it and it has significance to them.

Kyltyrböndet:

By being a bit more chill about this.

Luuppi_Puolue (mathemathics, statistics and computer sciences):

This is the responsibility of the council groups, in our opinion. The groups’ communications should bring council decision-making closer to the students. We have done well at this in earlier years, we think.

Medaattorit (medical students):

The Student Union and the council should be made more visible.

Oikeisto-opiskelijat (political right):

Everyone in the community is responsible for us having an effortless and interesting election, but especially us doing the campaigning. On our list, we have fun and a low threshold for participation. We discuss everything openly, directly and from multiple viewpoints, and we listen to all members of our community. We are planning to bring these principles to the council as well. We want to use our actions to encourage everyone to make their voice heard in the student union and vote in the representative election because it is the best available advocacy channel right now! Students have a right to know how student union funds are being spent and what decisions are made in the council meetings. In this way, everyone can form their own opinions about student union operations. We should also make use of low-threshold communications and bring the decision-making closer to everyday student life.

Pro Kasvatustieteilijät (educational science):

Through advocacy that is well-timed and topical and by communicating about it during both the election and the council term. By being present on the campuses and at events. Support from TREY is also important for promoting the campaigns and communications of the council groups.

RATTOISA (civil engineering, architecture, industrial engineering, and information and knowledge management):

By improving communications about council operations and decisions both on campus and on social media. By organising opportunities for students to get to know and hear about council operations.

Vapaaboomarit (business administration):

Students get interested in what has significance to them. The significance of the council may be unclear to even many who are long-time association actives, though. We have talked a lot about the significance of advocacy work in our subject association, but that alone is not enough: TREY and the council must be made more visible to students. For example, we have received a lot of praise for coordinated campus development advocacy, and this sort of effort makes the significance of shared advocacy work concrete. A lot of the advocacy work by TREY happens out of the view of the average student. By involving subject association actives more, we commit them to student union work. And when subject association actives are committed, they spread awareness of the student union work that they find important.

Vihreä lista (politically green):

Students are interested in making their voice heard. Taking care of business that matters to all of us shouldn’t feel like a distant ivory tower, it should be approachable and understandable. There’s work to be done about this not only at TREY, but also at the university. If we are aiming to be an internationally competitive educational institution, it is necessary to increase democratic decision-making in the community. University decision-making seems very distant and that is a recipe for alienating students from advocacy opportunities. The best way to achieve democratic decision-making would be to have equal tripartite representation on all levels of administration and to bring student and staff representation into the University Board. Over the upcoming council term, the council and TREY must be made more visible in everyday student life outside of election season and Wappu. The council makes decisions on the Student Union’s most significant policies, and those decisions cannot be made without student support.

Viva (political green left):

The council election and advocacy opportunities must be brought as close to students and their everyday life as possible, down to the grass-roots level. Many only become candidates in the council election when they’re asked by someone who they know because many people are uncertain about their know-how, and the council and Student Union feel distant to them. Bringing the election and other advocacy opportunities to the grass-roots level means walking among the students, directly cooperating with associations and advertising through them, and advertising operations at events, for example. In addition, we should highlight that the advocacy work and decisions made in the council and at the Student Union affect all of our lives, even mundane matters like event culture, studies and student services.

Antti Sarjanen (Anarkia):

You can learn and teach others through interaction.

Matias Rajalin (MaRa):

Compulsory student union membership must be abolished in order for the council to be a legitimate channel of decision-making.

Tanapaksorn Vipavin (TanaVipa):

We should promote voting and student political activities through email marketing and attractive copywriting. All students have their unique accounts and are habitually checking for what is mandatory or interesting. We might first have to shift the view of student political mundane to highlighting what concerns the student life and their personal benefits through appropriate communications and flexible locale of participation. With the empathetic mindset of the executive body, we might see more involvement in the student legislative decisions.

4. Choose one thing that you want to get done in the council.

Brothers and Sisters of Alpha-Chemistry (science and engineering, bioengineering, environmental and energy engineering and material engineering):

For all associations under TREY to have the means to organise the kind of activity that they want and that best works for their members.

Hallintotieteiden liitto (administrative sciences):

We have many. But the most important one is that awareness of and interest in the Student Union should go up. This would also give a stronger base for impactful council work in the future.

International Representatives Group:

If anything was possible, we would like to remove the language barrier in representation, such as faculty council and educational council representative roles.

Kahden Tähden Teekkarit:

We want to promote good conversational culture and active council work. We will properly read up on matters and encourage others so that we can make quality decisions together.

KeltainenPunainenSininen (automation technology, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering):

Discussing student mental health and giving student union support both financially and ideologically to interest groups who work on this topic.

Keskeiset (political centre):

At the moment, the Student Union makes political statements that all members cannot agree with. This majority tyranny is upsetting to a large number of the compulsory members of the Student Union.

Kontakti (liberal arts, social sciences and science):

Direct dialogue both within the council and between the council and the rest of the community. With our own actions, we want to build open and encouraging conversational culture at the Student Union and enable hearing the voice of the community in decision-making.

Kyltyrböndet:

Getting students to be a bigger part of decision-making.

Luuppi_Puolue (mathemathics, statistics and computer sciences):

We hope to hold onto the association-based operational culture at the core of the Student Union.

Medaattorit (medical students):

Advocating for the “average member” and bringing their point of view forward in decision-making.

Oikeisto-opiskelijat (political right):

In the future, the Student Union must focus on what is most essential, i.e. advocating for students. That is the most important duty of a student union. Us Oikeisto-opiskelijat want to bring students and the Student Union closer to each other and highlight what average members have to say.

Pro Kasvatustieteilijät (educational science):

Bringing TREY closer to students even as they start their studies as freshers. Post COVID, community is more important than ever, and TREY has a chance to affect the mark left by the unusual times.

RATTOISA (civil engineering, architecture, industrial engineering, and information and knowledge management):

We want to achieve a healthy and united universities community where everyone is equally taken into consideration. 

Vapaaboomarit (business administration):

The best thing about the council has been the vibe of working together. Compared to many other student unions, we have been able to retain good spirits even when making some pretty difficult decisions, for example about the future of Juvenes. We want to cherish this spirit of working together because COVID has eaten into it. The council is yet to have a conversation about TREY finances in the long run, about where we want to direct our economics in the coming years. The situation at Juvenes and loss of profits from our invested funds are posing challenges to the prospects on which we built our previous financial vision. In its financial values work, the council has said the membership fee should be 60 euros or under (currently it is 65 euros), and one of our central goals for next term is forming a plan to get to this goal.

Vihreä lista (politically green):

Ridding the university community of discrimination, harassment and racism is a task in which the student union must spur on the university and make the community genuinely a safer space for everyone. Discrimination is swept under the rug too often, and people feel like they lack either the courage or the ability to stop it. Training for these situations is needed both for student movement actives and university personnel. In the council, we have been working towards a feminist and antiracist TREY, and over the past term these policies made it into the Policy Paper. Feminism and antiracism as policies aren’t the end-all-be-all of this work, though. They are meant to provide tools for equality so that everyone can have a university community free of discrimination, harassment, sexism, and racism and an accessible studying environment.

Viva (political green left):

For TREY and the student community not to be afraid of actively making statements about societal and political issues. In some student circles, being political still seems like a curse word, even though it shouldn’t be. Societal issues, conversations and phenomena such as climate change, inflation and health services affect every student’s life now and in the future. TREY and the council do not live and exist in a vacuum but are a part of wider society. In addition, it is the duty of the university and the Student Union to raise future advocates and decision-makers, so the council is the perfect place to start practicing this. Our student community and therefore also the council and the Student Union must be ready to advocate and rebel for our own rights loudly and publicly.

Antti Sarjanen (Anarkia):

Sitting in meetings.

Matias Rajalin (MaRa):

A campus navigator, I’m an idealist, but campus navigation is a realistic goal.

Tanapaksorn Vipavin (TanaVipa):

The one thing I am looking to succeed if I am chosen to be a part of edustajisto is the “international integrations.” By this, I do not only mean for international students to integrate into the Finnish society, but also create means for Finnish students to integrate with the international students. I definitely promote traditional culture integrity and it should always remain visible regardless of how much internationalization the society would be. My intention is rather to bring diversity and equal opportunities to the table.

5. List two concrete subjects that you are going to pursue in the council.

Brothers and Sisters of Alpha-Chemistry (science and engineering, bioengineering, environmental and energy engineering and material engineering):

For members and associations to be aware of student union activity and services. For the services to make sense and respond to community needs.

Hallintotieteiden liitto (administrative sciences):

In addition to our own focus points and values, preventing student loneliness and supporting mental health has been a topical theme at HALLI. We can get wide-scale benefits to the whole student scene by supporting associations and doing things such as widening and targeting trainings about how to take people’s diversity into account and how to support people’s ability to cope.

International Representatives Group:

The IRG will prioritize sustainability in its holistic sense, from a social, political and environmental perspective.

We will continue pushing for bilingual access to information and student activities within the university.

Kahden Tähden Teekkarit:

First up, we want functional spaces both for studying and for spending time together on the campuses. The upcoming Sähkötalo renovations in Hervanta include building new teaching facilities and renovating the current association facilities, and TREY must make sure that student needs are respected in this project. At the same time on the city centre campus, the University is planning to let go the Pinni A building, even though all associations there don’t have facilities even as it stands.

Secondly, more volunteer work at the Student Union. By using more volunteer work, we can bring together many students from various backgrounds and have them participate in student union activity, and both the quality and quantity of our volunteer work should be increased.

KeltainenPunainenSininen (automation technology, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering):

In addition to the previous point:

We want to make decisions that make students identify with TREY and bring the Executive Board and governing bodies closer to students. We want to make student culture more equal and such that every member of the Student Union can identify with it.

Keskeiset (political centre):

We would increase financial support to associations. TREY is a remarkably inefficient financial operator because its projects are executed by employees. Association work is based on volunteering and motivation which gives you more results for the same money.

As the other thing, we would pressure the university to change their systems so that NUM LOCK remains on after logging in.

Kontakti (liberal arts, social sciences and science):

We intend to promote more flexible studying which can happen, for example, by adding functional association and studying spaces and by expanding access rights on all campuses. We also have a goal of genuine bilingualism across the community where everyone is taken into consideration and all students have an equal opportunity to get their voice heard at the Student Union.

Kyltyrböndet:

Bread and circuses and the importance of association facilities.

Luuppi_Puolue (mathemathics, statistics and computer sciences):

When it comes to equality work, a focus on digital accessibility, and when it comes to facilities, especially on the city centre campus, getting more and better association facilities.

Medaattorit (medical students):

Giving more support to associations and a better position to the Kauppi campus.

Oikeisto-opiskelijat (political right):

Us Oikeisto-opiskelijat intend to make everyday student life easier. We want student union decision-making to have an impact on our students’ everyday lives, for instance by us actively promoting different possible ways to complete your studies. Our goal is for the Student Union to focus on its most essential task, i.e. student advocacy. We plan to look after student union finances by focusing on the essentials and through this, lower the membership fee in the long run.

Pro Kasvatustieteilijät (educational science):

Securing association and studying facilities and making TREY operations and decision-making visible.

RATTOISA (civil engineering, architecture, industrial engineering, and information and knowledge management):

We must get evening meals on campus and eating in general must be made more functional as students return on the campuses.

Let’s secure association facilities and get some shared studying facilities into use.

Vapaaboomarit (business administration):

We are concerned about the big picture of TREY’s finances. The yearly membership fee has been on a rising trend. It is important to us that TREY has a strong financial foundation because it is the only way for our work to be sustainable. This is why we want for the council to support the office and the specialists on the financial committee and have an honest conversation about TREY’s core functions and how we plan to fund them. Any surplus can be used to lower the membership fee. Our other theme is an association-based TREY. Tampere would not have dynamic student culture without its strong association scene. The relationship between the Student Union and the associations must be strengthened because the work at both is complementary, not oppositional to each other. The Student Union can strengthen its relationship with the associations by improving its association cooperation.

Vihreä lista (politically green):

TREY, and the entire student movement, has an important role in spurring on universities and the state to fight the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. The climate crisis and biodiversity loss are the greatest threat of our time, and all sections of society are needed to fight them. The student movement cannot afford to not act in the face of this crisis because the climate crisis is a generational question. Us and later generations face responsibility not only for the actions of past generations but also for the inaction of our current policy makers in the face of the ongoing crisis. We demand the student movement commit to more active climate advocacy. We want to promote a more diverse and multi-voiced university community. This requires listening to students more and giving us wider advocacy opportunities in the entire community from everyday life up to the University Board. Our goal is to have equal tripartite representation on all levels of administration and permanent student and staff representation on the University Board.

Viva (political green left):

Increasing awareness of the principles for safer spaces in the entire university community. All students must feel welcome and safe while participating in university teaching, student community events and student union activity. Every member of the university community must know the principles for safer spaces, and we should train students, student movement actives and the staff in order to build safer work culture.

Improving the eating opportunities in the Tampere university community. Currently at the university you can’t get food at all in the evening or over weekends. Affordable and balanced nutrition is one of the most important facets that supports student well-being and helps advance studies, and currently food is only available during office hours, even though student life does not adhere to the clock. In addition, a greater portion of the available meals must consist of vegetarian and vegan options.

Antti Sarjanen (Anarkia):

Decisions need to account for the big picture and the practical aspects.

Matias Rajalin (MaRa):

Taking the campus navigator into use and abolishing compulsory student union membership.

Tanapaksorn Vipavin (TanaVipa):

First thing I will pursue is arranging “Student Open Stage” to promote various student interests, talents, or innovations, and connect students through networking. It shall be a kind of event where all students are eligible to sign up to showcase their presentation according to various categories or skillset. This event can either be held online or offline. The second thing will be “Campus Open House Week” where all students can visit all three campuses and learn what facilities, programs, accessibility that each campus has to offer.

6. How would you alter TREY’s economy – where to invest, where to cut?

Brothers and Sisters of Alpha-Chemistry (science and engineering, bioengineering, environmental and energy engineering and material engineering):

We would reduce costs by cutting events and services that are the least popular, such as the various theme weeks. We would lower the membership fee or increase financial support to associations. We should invest in getting more profits from corporate cooperation.

Hallintotieteiden liitto (administrative sciences):

TREY, among others, has suffered from the changing global situation. We cannot stay lying in the fire. In the future, the student union must widen its cooperation and funding basis. New proposals could be made happen via project funding, for example. It is challenging to name a single target for cuts because making cuts is a question of values.  The finances of the student union must be balanced.

International Representatives Group:

For example, as a large part of the budget Visiiri, in printed and digital form, should include bilingual content for the students who pay student union fees but do not know Finnish yet as well as national students.

When thinking about potential cuts however, we want to emphasize the sustainability of the budget. For example, we could consider moving resources from branding products to services that directly benefit student wellbeing like mental health services.

Kahden Tähden Teekkarit:

We want to invest more in corporate cooperation. This could increase the opportunities for students and companies to network, and the cooperation could also result in income that could be directed to other work. Association support could use more resources, such as offering more trainings and bringing associations together more frequently. We also need more resources to increase volunteer work.

KeltainenPunainenSininen (automation technology, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering):

Couldn’t really think of an answer in this time frame.

Keskeiset (political centre):

The TREY Executive Board remunerations cost over 110 000 € annually. At least I have no idea what we get for that money.

As we said, we would direct significantly more money to the associations. Associations are in very unequal positions with each other because the more market-oriented ones receive dozens of times more money from sponsors than those who get the least. This shortcoming should be made more even by the Student Union.

Kontakti (liberal arts, social sciences and science):

We do not wish to consider the student union finances as a zero-sum game, as they should be treated as a whole whose most important responsibility is to enable comprehensive member services and impactful advocacy work. The most important question is where we can get new sources of income rather than where we should make cuts.

Kyltyrböndet:

More financial support to associations and no increases to the membership fee. We would re-examine the charging structure of Visiiri.

Luuppi_Puolue (mathemathics, statistics and computer sciences):

The finances are currently well taken care of, but we hope to find ways to balance the student union finances by stabilising good practices and general operations.

Medaattorit (medical students):

The membership fee definitely must not be raised, rather it should be lowered. We could cut from services that do not benefit students. More financial support to associations.

Oikeisto-opiskelijat (political right):

We want to promote fiscal responsibility. Student union funds must be used cautiously and by prioritising the essentials. The trend of the membership fee must be going down instead of up like it has been in recent years. The membership fee also shouldn’t be yo-yoing from one year to the next – it must be considered on a long-term basis and made predictable. Oikeisto-opiskelijat wants to prioritise facilitating the Student Union’s core functions and highlight an association-based student community. For many associations, just getting together with others and getting some communicational tools could add significant value to their operations and the whole Student Union. Various projects that fall outside of the core functions of a student union take up resources and burden the whole office. The focus must be on stability and basic functionality.

Pro Kasvatustieteilijät (educational science):

Quality advocacy work requires enough funding and we at Proka are happy with TREY’s current budget. We listen closely to the membership and associations for changing needs, though. Over the upcoming term, we are prepared for conversations such as building bilingual working culture at TREY.

RATTOISA (civil engineering, architecture, industrial engineering, and information and knowledge management):

The visibility and accessibility of university support services should be invested in more. Favouring digital Visiiri over printed and freeing up those funds to association and tutoring work and improvement thereof.

Vapaaboomarit (business administration): 

Student union operations must have a financially strong basis. The width of operations must be in relation to the available resources. TREY’s core functions are student advocacy, training and community-building. The biggest single expense at TREY is the personnel, but they make everyday TREY operations happen. We would increase resources to the cooperation between TREY and associations so that more students would find their way to student activity. We would critically examine the future of Visiiri. The advertising sales for the magazine do not cover its printing costs. It is important to examine its reach and student views on it via a survey. Maintaining the magazine isn’t worth it if it does not reach the members and takes up an unreasonably expensive part of the budget.

Vihreä lista (politically green):

The core of the Student Union is in advocacy and community. Cuts to either of these areas should be last-resort measures to improve the financial situation of the Student Union. We have a negative opinion on raising the membership fee. The membership fee every autumn is a big expense in a student budget, and we cannot afford a significant increase. The trend of the membership fee should be more predictable in the future, and the fee should not be raised from its current sum without grave reason. The Student Union must identify its core functions, and instead of quantity, invest in quality activity on all Tampere campuses. This can also create savings.

Viva (political green left):

One important thing is to make sure that the student union membership fee does not go up at all like it has these past few years. It would be preferable to get the fee lower little by little. Membership fee income is currently incredibly important to TREY operations so this should be examined realistically.

When it comes to TREY finances, we could examine events and their costs, for example. Are all TREY events necessary? Many TREY events are expensive to organise in the first place, and they take up TREY personnel’s time which indirectly adds expenses. Reducing the number of events organised by TREY would enable the specialists to focus on student advocacy work. Student associations in Tampere organise hundreds of amazing events every year, so cutting a few of them would not make a big difference to the overall supply.

Antti Sarjanen (Anarkia):

I don’t know.

Matias Rajalin (MaRa):

I would increase the well-being services by reducing the ill-being services. The costs to an individual student I would reduce by offering free contraceptives on all university campuses.

Tanapaksorn Vipavin (TanaVipa):

I think the magazine print costs should be cut and moved to online publication, through university platforms. The print version can be handled economically with a paid membership subscription which could also increase sentimental value to the prints. On the other hand, I would put more money into the online communication and student united experience. For example, if a homecoming ice hockey game should be arranged at Nokia Arena where special discount tickets are sold for university members only, the online communication should reach work to ensure the offer is reaching all students, faculties and staff.