Upcoming Events
17.2. – Students‘ shrove (Laskiainen)
Preparations for Laskiainen are well underway, and you’ll soon be hearing more about it! Keep an eye on LYY’s social media channels for updates.
27.2. – Anniversary Celebration of the University of Lapland
The traditional anniversary celebration of the University of Lapland will be held on Friday, 27 February at 13:00 in the Fellman Hall. During the celebration, awards will be presented, including Alumnus of the Year, Teacher of the Year, and Student Group of the Year. Registration via this link by 17 February.
Advocacy
21.1. Meeting with MP Olga Oinas-Panuma
We met with Centre Party MP Olga Oinas-Panuma, Chair of the Rovaniemi City Board Susanna Viitala, and Chair of the Centre Students of Rovaniemi Vilma Teiskonen. We discussed students’ housing situation, employment opportunities for highly educated during and after their studies, and the role of artificial intelligence in the future of working life and society.
26.1. Meeting with the Administration of the Lapland Higher Education Consortium
We met with Planning Director Jorma Puuronen and Director of Financial Elisa Kusmin of the Lapland Higher Education Consortium. This was the first administrative meeting for the new board. We discussed issues related to the finances of higher education institutions, the future of higher education structures, and the importance of close cooperation between the student union and the university.
26.1 Meeting with Green Party Chair Sofia Virta
We attended an open event by the Green Party, where we met the party chair Sofia Virta. At the event, we expressed our concerns regarding the draft Construction Act, which regulates short-term rental activity and thus affects the student housing situation in Rovaniemi. We also discussed the future of higher education.
Past events
International Fairs
Together with the university’s international services, we organized a main lobby event for newly arrived exchange students. Local subject and hobby organizations presented their activities to exchange students during the event.
Opening of Lovisa
We organized the opening event for new office and student facilities in the university’s D Wing, in Lovisa’s former premises, on 15 January. Both students and university staff attended to welcome LYY to the new spaces. During the event, visitors were able to suggest names for the new student facilities.
DAS-Appro
LYY and ROTKO organized the DAS-Appro event on 21 January. Participants toured the premises of the Domus Arctica Foundation through a checkpoint competition, with winners awarded at the afterparty held in the University of Applied Sciences’ Showroom. Entertainment at the afterparty was provided by Kullerbytta!
Riemupiirakka
LYY organized the Riemupiirakka training for its member organizations on 28 January. In the annual Riemupiirakka event, organizations had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of sector-specific activities through training sessions organized by LYY.
Other matters
LYY’s Move to New Office Facilities
LYY has moved from its old office on Ahkiomaantie to the heart of the university, to the D Wing in Lovisa’s former premises. At the same time, LYY’s F Wing member service point has been closed and relocated as part of LYY’s new office facilities.
The LYY Board for 2026 Has Organized
The board for 2026 organized itself and begun their work for 2026. Assigned areas of responsibilities and sponsor subject associations are as follows:
Inari Turkia: Chair
Jasmin Kaarnivuo: Vice Chair, Internationality and Organizations
Henriikka Aho: Social Policy and Responsibility
Timo Korkiakoski: Education Policy and Societal Relations
Eetu Markkanen: Communications and Tutoring
Eeda Mykkänen: Events
Niklas Näsälä: Treasurer, Business Cooperation, and Member Services
Assigned Subject Organizations:
Inari Turkia: Artikla ry
Jasmin Kaarnivuo: Diverssi ry and Jalot Villit ry
Henriikka Aho: Lastu ry and Lyhty ry
Timo Korkiakoski: Remburssi ry
Eetu Markkanen: Lapikas ry
Eeda Mykkänen: Kosmos Buran ry
Niklas Näsälä: TAO ry
Naming of Lovisa Group Work Rooms
The board named the rooms in its meeting 2/2026. The rooms were named after important spaces and companies in LYY’s history. The three rooms on the “forest side” were named Tivoli, Tuubi, and Kioski, while the rooms on the LYY office side were named Viljo and Valsa.
The New LYY Board Went on a Retreat
The board began its year with a retreat, where members planned the upcoming year of activities and got to know each other. During the trip, the board laid the foundation for its board program and agreed on internal rules of operation.
A Member Services Employee Has Started at LYY
LYY has hired Vilja-Maria Mutka as its Member Services Coordinator. Vilja-Maria started at the beginning of January and is responsible for the member service point as well as supporting event production in the leisure sector. Vilja shares her greetings: “Hi! I started at LYY as a new Member Services Coordinator. My work began at the start of the year, and so far it has been an interesting introduction to new tasks. Earlier in the autumn, I completed an archival internship at LYY, during which I organized LYY’s history for long-term storage. It’s exciting to next meet members face to face at LYY’s new service point. I also assist with upcoming events, so you may see me at leisure sector meetings and at LYY events. See you during the spring!”
Tutor Application for the 2026–2027 Academic Year Is Open
The tutor application opened on Thursday, 29 January and will remain open until 12 February. Any student with enthusiasm for welcoming new students and the ability to work with different kinds of people can apply to become a tutor. Fill out the application and enjoy an unforgettable academic year guiding new students into university life and meeting new people! More information about tutor recruitment can be found on LYY’s website and social media channels. Please note, that Tutoring requires fluent skills in Finnish. The International Tutoring application will open later in the spring.
The Nomination Process for Teacher of the Year Is Open
It’s time to reward the Teacher of the Year! Do you know a teacher who is fair, just, or masters teaching methods that truly set them apart? Tell us about them! LYY will award the Teacher of the Year at the university’s anniversary celebration on Friday, 27 February 2026. Survey link here!
