Students’ Rights Expert at the Student Union of ÅAU  

I am employed at the student union as an expert in higher education policy, student social benefits, well-being, and student rights. My job is to support union members, associations, elected representatives of ÅAS, and student representatives in the ÅAU administration. I have held the title of student representative since the job descriptions for ÅAS employees were updated a few years ago. We initially considered calling me an “advocacy expert,” but fortunately decided that sounded too complicated and dry. The title Students’ Rights Expert is more descriptive; I hope it signals that “yes, you as a student should get in touch, and I am happy to help.”

ÅAS advocacy work

ÅAS’s mission is to make students’ everyday lives as good as possible. We, the employees, are here to support the union board and the student council. I work closely with the union board by providing background information on student health, accessibility issues, and national regulations related to education. We often write texts together or make plans for campaigns.

I am involved as the Student Union contact in ÅAU’s Equality Committee and Crisis Support Group, and I also participate in meetings on student well-being and in collaborative groups with the Student Health Care Services.

Decision-making at ÅAU

One of my tasks is to handle the practical aspects of electing student representatives to various groups within ÅAU. I also organize training for the student representatives and answer their questions so that they can influence ÅAU’s decision-making as effectively as possible. The contact and communication between ÅAS and the student representatives is important so that we are all aware of what is being planned and decided at ÅAU. Especially now, when major changes may occur in education and course offerings, it is a priority to maintain close contact with everyone involved in the work.

How the Students’ Rights Expert can support individual students

I assist individual students in problem situations, for example, by finding out which rules apply to courses and examinations at ÅAU or which organizations can support international students. I often participate as a support person for students in meetings with ÅAU staff regarding, for example, suspicions of plagiarism or violations of the rules of conduct. My role is always to view matters from the students’ perspective and to ensure that students’ rights are upheld. This applies both if a course teacher has not followed the ÅAU rules and if a student has not followed the ÅAU rules.

What happens if I get in contact with the Students’ Rights Expert?

It is up to you what happens! I am happy to listen to what you are thinking about and answer questions or provide information, or provide contact details. If you do not want that, we will never take a question further to anyone else. All emails and everything we discuss are confidential.

Petra Lindblad
Students’ Rights Expert at ÅAS
petra@studentkaren.fi