The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
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The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
06.10.2026
The Representative Council of the Student Union the University of Eastern Finland has approved the updated Equality Plan in their meeting 15 September 2026. The decision was made unanimously.
A working group consisting of representatives from the ISYY Council, Executive Board and staff examined the Equality Plan for the years 2023-2026 during spring and summer 2026. ISYY Council, Executive Board and staff had the opportunity to comment on the updated Equality Plan before the meeting of the Representative Council held 15 September 2026.
Equality Plan (PDF) is a guiding document, and compliance is required from ISYY’s representatives and employees. Its purpose is to promote equality, non-discrimination, equal opportunities, and a physically and psychologically safe environment for students at ISYY and in the associations and clubs operating within it.
The appendix of the Equality plan includes the Safer Space Policy (PDF) of the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland. No updates were made to the Safer Space policy.
Both documents can be found from the Documents section of the ISYY website under folder Plans and Programmes.
Among the key updates to the Equality Plan, two new terms were added to the definitions; study environment and ableism. In addition, the updated Equality Plan recognises accessibility in a broader sense, including physical accessibility, and emphasises taking this into account in the Student Union’s activities. Secretly recording audio has also been added to the examples of forms of harassment, alongside covert photography.
In the measures related to inclusivity, the Student Union emphasises that it takes members’ concerns seriously and commits to responding to shortcomings in the activities of ISYY and the University. The Student Union encourages its members to raise concerns about shortcomings in its activities and to propose solution-oriented approaches.
The most significant updates to the equality plan concerned the section on the Student Union as an employer. The clarifications in the updated plan aim to clarify the roles and responsibilities of both the employer and employees in various potential harassment situations, as well as to define these situations.
ISYY has named and trained Anti-Harassment Contact Persons. Students can contact Anti-Harassment Contact Person if they experience, for example, bullying, discrimination, racism, sexual harassment on inappropriate treatment. The harassment contact person can offer discussion help, advice and act as a support person in situations perceived as oppressive. The harassment contact person can organise a negotiation if the parties so wish, or help in filing a potential criminal complaint.
Mikko Aaltonen, Specialist in Academic and Social Affairs (Kuopio), mikko.aaltonen(at)isyy.fi, tel. +358 (0) 44 576 8414
Laura Kupiainen, Specialist for Interest Advocacy, laura.kupiainen(at)isyy.fi, tel. +358 (0) 44 576 8465