The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
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The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
14.12.2016
In 2016, the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY) has conducted a project “Home sweet home” (OKKK, Oma koti kullan kallis). The project’s aim was to find out whether ISYY should join in constructing new student housing in Joensuu and Kuopio. The project is based on the ISYY plan of action 2016.
The inadequate amount of student housing in both Joensuu and Kuopio creates a problem that is faced by students and the Student Union every autumn. Students also struggle finding reasonably priced apartments in the private rental market. In the future, the disbandment of Savonlinna campus and consequently students’ relocation to Joensuu will create even more pressure in Joensuu student housing situation.
By investing to student housing ISYY could provide a solution to it’s members’ problems: a home sweet home.
The background and progression of the project
Project Home sweet home is based on the ISYY plan of action 2016. According to the entry in the plan of action 2016, ISYY must conduct a report on whether ISYY should acquire new student housing. If the report would support it, ISYY should start negotiating with student housing companies and campus cities about joining in constructing new student housing.
ISYY Executive Board begun executing the report at the beginning of 2016. The Student Union has been looking into the possibilities of constructing student housing in Kuopio and Joensuu with a consultant hired to support the process. Osake Optimi Oy has acted as the consult. During the process, ISYY has also collaborated with another consultant, Sitefactory Oy, in matters concerning envisioning and building solutions.
During 2016, based on the negotiations with the consultants ISYY has negotiated about constructing student housing with cities of Kuopio and Joensuu, University of Eastern Finland and University Properties of Finland. In the negotiations the negotiating parties have gone through e.g. possible building plans and building solutions.
Also ISYY Executive Board and Representative Council together have processed matters concerning the project “Home sweet home” in a workshop in October 2016.
Next steps
The project of conducting the report is already on the homestretch. Based on its results, it seems that ISYY has a proper chance of joining in constructing new student housing both in Joensuu and Kuopio.
Before taking the project “Home sweet home” any further ISYY must conduct a survey of requirements. The survey should contain information on the aims of the project, preliminary cost and profitability calculations, risk analysis and financing methods. ISYY Executive Board is currently finalising this survey.
After the survey has been finalised, ISYY will hire a project manager to work on a project plan and create a separate organisation to advance the project. This organisation will act under ISYY Representative Council and Executive Board.
During 2017, the Representative Council will decide about the strategy which will guide the separate organisation acting under ISYY Representative Council and Executive Board in advancing the project.
Read further:
ISYY: Action Plan 2016
More info:
Matti Nivala, Social politics and Student Tutoring, the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland, matti.nivala@isyy.fi, tel. +358 44 5768404