Student Union and student associ
Student Union and student associations
The Student Union of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SAMO) is
an organisation that supervises the interests of students and offers services.
SAMO works in close co-operation with the staff of Seinäjoki UAS and the student
associations in the university's various schools. The organisation also
maintains relations with the business world and student unions in other
universities of applied sciences, as well as with municipal and governmental
administration. SAMO is a member of the Union of Students in Finnish
Universities of Applied Sciences, SAMOK ry.
Activities
The activities carried out by SAMO are in accordance
with Section 42a of the Polytechnic Act (413/2005). The student union's
statutory duty is to function as a bond between members and to promote their
societal, social, mental educational endeavours as well as their status as
students in society. Furthermore, it is the duty of the student union to choose
student representatives for the UAS Board and other multi-member bodies and to
participate in other UAS activities.
Membership
All full-time UAS students are welcome to join SAMO; it merely requires the
filling out of the membership application, either online or o paper, and paying
of the membership fee. At the moment, SAMO has over 2200 members. For more
detailed instructions, see
www.samo.fi. Joining the student union is not compulsory.
Membership fees for new members for the 2010-2011 academic year:
-
4-yr. membership: 75 euros for the entire period of the degree
programme (240 cr)
-
3,5-yr. membership: 70 euros for the entire period of the degree
programme (210 cr)
-
1-yr. membership: 28 euros for the autumn and spring semesters
-
6-month membership: 20 euros for the autumn OR spring semester
The membership fees for new members include the 8 euro student card and
registration fee, which students need to pay only once.
The membership fees for students continuing their studies/old students during
the 2010-2011 academic year are:
-
1-yr. membership: 20 euros for the autumn and spring semesters
-
6-month membership: 12 euros for the autumn OR spring semester
As proof of their membership, students receive a student card with a
sticker indicating the academic year. The card (blue student card) entitles
students to receive dozens of benefits, locally and nationally, negotiated by
SAMO. The student card can also be used as a library card in Seinäjoki UAS's
libraries. In addition, each member receives SAMO's academic
calendar and the SAMO magazine sent to their home four times a year, which
contains information about current issues in the academic world. SAMO members
also receive a discount on student overalls and on admission fees to events
organised by the union.
Organisation
The highest decision-making body in SAMO is the Council of
Representatives appointed by the students through an election. The Council has
20 members. The Board, which is chosen by the council, has executive authority
and the activities carried out by the Board are divided into different areas of
responsibility. The Board currently has a chairperson, social policy
coordinator, educational policy coordinator, tutor coordinator, international
affairs coordinator, communications coordinator, cultural coordinator and a
sports coordinator. SAMO also has three full-time, paid employees to handle
routine activities: a secretary general, student interest secretary and a tutor
secretary. The SAMO office is open weekdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and it is located
at the end of the Kampus building (Keskuskatu 34, 60100 Seinäjoki).
Student tutors
The purpose of the student tutor system is to provide peer guidance
especially for new students as they begin their studies and become familiar with
the school community and town. Together with the educational counsellors, the
SAMO student union is responsible for training new student tutors and for
organising tutor activities at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.
Friendship, assistance and confidential relationships are the keywords of every
student tutor. The whole idea behind the system is that no one is left alone and
there is a solution for every problem!
International affairs
SAMO's international affairs sector strives to develop
an international atmosphere at Seinäjoki UAS. The international affairs
coordinator on the Board of SAMO organises international activities together
with the international tutors in the schools and with the staff of Seinäjoki
UAS. Activities include international theme days, activities for exchange
students and orientation for students going abroad on exchanges. The purpose of
the international activities is to soften the impact of culture shock, reduce
prejudices, and share accurate information and to encourage Finnish students to
go abroad.
Sports
SAMO organises various types of sports activities and regular visits to
the gym. In addition, tournaments involving at least four different types of
sports events are organised each year; they have indeed become a tradition at
Seinäjoki UAS and are extremely popular. To make fitness easy, students are
entitled to discounts at various sports and fitness centres, and they also
receive types of benefits.
Culture
The purpose of SAMO's cultural activities is to offer students a psychological
and social counterbalance to studying. SAMO organises various celebrations, such
as the traditional overall party, the opening ceremony for the academic year,
Christmas parties and May Day events.
Social policy
As regards social policy, SAMO is concerned with
student financial aid, student health care, issues associated with living and
cafeteria operations. Achievements on the local level include the establishment
of health care services, e.g. public health nurse, physician, psychologist and
dentist, by the student well-being team and SAMO's endeavours to abate the
increases in rents for student housing. On the national level, SAMO influences
educational and social issues through the Union of Students in Finnish
Universities of Applied Sciences, reaching even the highest government
officials.
Educational policy
SAMO endeavours to influence the quality and
development of education at Seinäjoki UAS and to take action where any
shortcomings are concerned. The representatives chosen by SAMO are
members of various teams and committees and gather feedback from students to
bring it to the awareness of the staff. Persistent, active work has proved
fruitful and the views of the students are more and more evident in the planning
implementation of studies.
Why not lend us your helping hand! We need active and enthusiastic people
to carry out the activities described above. Be one of them! Join up and be a
part of the student union of opportunities - building our future and the future
of our fellow students!
For more information about SAMO, see
www.samo.fi.
|
