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Would you be excited to participate in organising the Student Union of ÅAU’s (ÅAS) next annual ball?
The coordinator for ÅAS 104th annual ball will be Alexandra Westerlund. The annual ball will take place in Vasa in February 2023. Alexandra is now looking for members for their annual ball committee that will help make the annual ball festivities unforgettable.
We would like to have both of the Student Union’s ”hometowns”, Vasa and Åbo, be represented in the committee. Write an application and send it in no later than Sunday, 13 November, at 11.59 p.m. to ÅAS member of the Board Esther Djupsund esther@studentkaren.fi. The Board will choose the members for the committee together with the annual ball coordinator.
Please not that some proficiency in Swedish is needed because the documentation of previous annual balls is in Swedish.
The service point in Vasa will only be open two days a week from the beginning of November. This is so the personnel in Vasa can better support the Board in their position, increase the amount of advocacy work, and support The Student Union of ÅAU’s (ÅAS) sub-associations in Vasa.
The service point in Havtornen will be open on Mondays and Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m. ÅAS’s Service Expert Amanda will be there and is happy to answer any questions. You can also send an email to havtornen@studentkaren.fi. It is also possible to book an appointment with Amanda via email if you have questions or errands you would like to handle in person – both students and associations are welcome.
The service point will be closed on 26 October and 1–3 November 2022.
The up-to-date opening hours of the service points can always be found at the top bar of our website.
The Student Union will flag at half-mast on Friday, October 7, in Åbo
The Student Union buildning Kåren in Åbo will flag at half-mast on Friday, October 7, to honor the memory of a departed student. Our thoughts go to grieving family, relatives and friends. Those closest in the study community have been informed and offered support.
If you feel that you require help or support you can turn to:
Every year, the Student Union of Åbo Akademi University celebrates its annual ball on the weekend closest to 18 February, which is the birthday of the university’s founder Per Brahe. The annual ball of 2023 will be celebrated on 18 February in Vasa.
The Annual Ball Coordinator works closely with the the Student Union’s Board and staff to coordinate the preparations for the annual ball.
The Board of the Student Union has announced the position of Annual Ball Coordinator as vacant. Furthermore, the Board has determined a remuneration of 500 euros for the elected coordinator. The coordinator will be elected by the Board on 19 October.
If you became interested, please send your application to Board Member Esther Djupsund, esther@studentkaren.fi.
The deadline for applications is 17 October at 23.59 p.m.
The Kårkalenders, calendars for the academic year, have finally arrived to our service points. Come and get yours – for free!
The service point in Vasa will be closed today, 5 September, but normally both of the Student Union’s service points (Kåren in Åbo, and Havtornen in Vasa) are open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m. Welcome!
Press release
17 June 2022
For immediate release
Meal subsidy for student restaurants must be increased
The economic situation has made the operating conditions of the student restaurants very critical. Inflation has raised prices significantly, but the restaurants can’t raise their prices to compensate as they are tied to the maximum price set by the Ministry of Education and Culture. The Student Union of Åbo Akademi University is concerned about the restaurants operating conditions and above all the possibility to be able to offer student meals in the future.
There is a risk that it will not be possible to open up all the student restaurants in the autumn, which in turn means that students will not be able to have lunch during the day. When students finally get to return to campus after two long years at a distance, there is an increased need to bring good and healthy routines into everyday life.
Students’ financial situation is tight from the beginning, which gives few opportunities for students to make savings. Students’ biggest expenses are housing and food – the only thing students can cut from in the long run is in food costs. At the same time, it is clear that a healthy and varied diet is a basic prerequisite for feeling good and maintaining a good study ability. The student meals also provide an important opportunity for students to spend time with their fellow students, something that is really needed now after the pandemic.
The goal of Kelas meal subsidy is to lay a foundation for healthy eating habits and well-being, as well as to promote university students study ability and energy. If meal subsidy can’t be increased, the quality of the food will deteriorate and there is a risk that the restaurants will have to close down their operations.
Student well-being has worsened significantly during the pandemic – we can’t allow the basic security that the student meals offer to end. An immediate increase in the meal subsidy is required to be able to guarantee student meals in the future as well.
For more information:
Veera Granroth
Chair of the Board
The Student Union of ÅAU
+358 50 401 3524
so@studentkaren.fi
Services and support during the summer months
Many feel lonely and anxious during the summer, we have gathered various support services that are available during the summer.
In case of emergency, seek out your closest emergency room or call 112.
Student Chaplains
If there is something on your mind during the summer that you would like to discuss, cyou can contact student chaplains Mia Pusa in Åbo or Hanna Jern in Vasa.
Mia´s details are: mia.pusa@evl.fi , 040-3417296.
Mia is attending a conference in Sheffield on 12/6-17/6 and has summer holidays on 22/6-17/7 and 1/8-14/8.
Hanna´s details are: hanna.jern@evl.fi , 044-4808327.
Study Psychologist
The study psychologists are available to all graduate students and help them when they get stuck in their studies. You can make an appointment with the study psychologists when you need support with issues such as study goals, study motivation, time management, stress, difficulties with your dissertation and other issues related to your studies.
In Åbo, the study psycholgists are Klara Schauman-Ahlberg and Sabina Nickull. E-mail: studiepsykolog@abo.fi
Please make appointments by e-mail or by phone. Please do not include sensitive information in the e-mails!
Mieli ry’s English Crisis Helpline
Phone number: +358 9 2525 0113 or you can also reach them through Whatsapp +358 40 195 8202. You’ll find their opening hours and more information on their website.
HelsinkiMissio
Crisis Services for Youth provides free and short-term counselling for young people, aged from 12–29. You don’t need any referral note or diagnosis, you don’t need to live in Helsinki and, if you want, you can talk anonymously.
Link to their website here.
Summer job helpline May – August
Receive help and advice on matters related to summer employment.
Link to website here.
Åbo Akademi University has budgeted an annual grant of 15 000 € to support the student associations.
Any association that has the sub-association status of the Student Union of ÅAU (ÅAS) has the right to apply for the grant for different kinds of activities that are inclusive and contribute to noticeable student association activities on ÅAU’s campuses in Åbo and Vasa.
The deadline for this year’s applications is 15 June 2022!
Read more here [link to ÅAU’s intra page – in Swedish] and contact studentcampus@abo.fi if you have any questions.
At the opening ceremony for the Academic Year 2022–2023 one of the ÅAU teachers will receive the title Teacher of the Year and a stipend from the bequest of Harry Elving.
Do you have a teacher who is great at their work, who is inspiring, present and goes above and beyond? Then you can nominate them to Teacher of the Year! Please send your nomination, with motivation no later than on Wednesday 25 May at noon.
The service points in Åbo and Vasa will be on summer break from the 26 May to 28 August.
If you have any questions please contact our serviceexpert Sandra i Åbo on kansli@studentkaren.fi or Amanda in Vasa on havtornen@studentkaren.fi.