SUPERVISION OF INTEREST

The Student Union is the bond between its members, and an active supervisor of student interests on the campus and national level. In the Student Union you'll find advisory councelling on studying or student social issues. VYY also organises tutoring for new students on behalf of the University of Vaasa. VYY is responsible for furthering students' interests through its representatives in the University and other cooperative organizations.

ADVISORY SERVICES
The Student Union's member have an access to advisory services on issues relating to studies or the life as a student. The Secretary of Academic and Social Affairs is responsible for advising in issues such as studies, livelihood, accommodation and health. The secretary can be contacted also when you feel or suspect harrasment or discrimination. If you have questions relating to making a rental agreement, you are stuck with your studies or feel in need of dental care, do not hesitate to contact the Secreatry of Academic and Social Affairs.

Livelihood
Students' livelihood is made of KELA's students' financial aid, more specifically the study grants, housing supplements and government guarantees for student loans. The livelihood is often supplemented by, for example, wage. The applications for students' financial aid is processed on the campus by workers of the University and a board for these applications. The Student Union aims at developing students' financial aid on a national level together with other student unions. Locally VYY offers members advice on issues related to livelihood and cooperates with the student financial aid services of the University.

Accommodation
Most of the students' housing needs in Vaasa is met by VOAS, the Vaasa Student Housing Foundation, established in 1972. The accommodation situation in Vaasa is relatively good. The rents are at a reasonable level and there is a good supply for apartments, although for certain types of accommodation there is more demand than supply. In Vaasa there is also a plenty of apartments for rent or sale. Generally, autumn is the hardest season for finding an apartment. You can find announcements for free apartments at the Market place of VYY's website. VYY also gives advice on issues relating to accommodation.

HEALTH

The health care of the university students is taken care of by the Finnish Student Health Service. FSHS better known as YTHS was established and is administrated by students as a provider for students' health, dental and mental services. The Student Union buys health care for its members from the YTHS at a price of 40 € per student (academic year 2009-2010). Using YTHS' services is either free or inexpensive. The YTHS Vaasa is located at Hovioikeudenpuistikko 15 C, 65100 Vaasa (entrance from Hartmanin kuja). When closed, the main health center of Vaasa is on emergency duty, and after 10 pm the central hospital's emergency room is responsible for the duty. Developing the student health care on a national level is one of the most impotant objectives for the social sector of the Student Union. Locally, the Student Union gives advisory on issues relating to health and welfarek, and usage of health care services.

Student Welfare Workgroup
There is also a Student Welfare Workgroup that works as a part of the University's Welfare Committee. Its purpose is to promote student welfare in the University's area of work. Students can contact this workgroup by sending mail to hyvaopiskelu@uwasa.fi

HARASSMENT CONTACT PERSON

The Secretary of Academic and Social Affairs is also the Student Union's Harassment Contact Person. You can contact the Harassment Contact Person, when you feel you have been treated inappropriately, for example:
- by motioning in a sexually inappropriate way.
- by talking in a double minded or inappropriate way about your body, clothing or private life.
- by taking unwanted physical contact.
- by stalking you.

Feel free to come and talk about the situation and your feelings to the Harassment Contact Person. The Harassment might be of other than sexual nature, for example bullying. Follow up action will be decided on with student who took contact. All contacts will be handled with absolute confidence.