Legal Protection for Students
In general
The bases of the student's legal status
Study rights at the university
Registration with the university
University/faculty administration
The principles of good administration
The right of appeal in administrative decisions
Income support
Non-descrimination and equality
Compensation for damages/insurance coverage
Disclosing information from the student data system
The ethics of research
Instructions for problem situations
In general
This section contains central issues relating to the legal status and security of students. The intention is to present matters in such a way that no unnecessary juxtaposition between the interests of the university and its students would be created, because members of the university community have in many ways collective aims, and the university staff will usually attempt to solve problems as they come up. For this reason, it is important that students bring forth any problems they experience so that they can be jointly resolved.
The bases of the student's legal status
University students use education services provided by society. Because the university is a part of civil service, it has an obligation to meet several norms and principles of administrative law. University students differ from the normal users of the services society has to offer in that they have more direct means to influence the affairs of the university, their faculty and department than those offered by representative democracy. This is possible because in every central administrative body there are also student representatives. A more detailed description of the influence the student has can be read in the guide published by the Student Union of the University of Turku called Opiskelijan opas yliopiston hallintoon (The Student's Guide to University Administration).
Students have the right to demand from the university high-quality education and support services that are both appropriate and efficient. In return, society expects that students use education services correctly, that is, study actively. This is because in teaching in Finland which leads to a university degree is still free of charge for students.
It is important to note that legally, a student, purely in his/her role as a student, is not in an employment relationship with the university; that is a working relationship or public service position. This means, for example, that the university does not usually provide accident insurance for students. However, an accident that may occur during a study-related practical teaching, which is comparable to work, is usually compensated for as if it were an occupational accident. More detail on this topic will be dealt with later on in the section that discusses insurance and compensation.
Study rights at the university
On 1 August 2005 a change in the Universities Act came into effect setting limits to the time that is allowed for pursuing a Bachelor's and/or Master's degree. The new law concerns students who started their studies in the academic year 2005-2006 or later.
Students who have been accepted into a university degree program, either the Bachelor's degree or the Master's degree, have the right to graduate at the latest two years later than the combined intended time for the completion of the degree. The target time for a Bachelor's and Master's degree, the extent of which is 300 credits, is five academic years. The target time for degrees which consist of 330 credits is five and a half years, while six academic years is allowed for degrees of 360 credits.
Students who only have the right to pursue a Bachelor's degree have the right to complete that degree no later than one year after the intended time for its completion. The target time for a Bachelor's degree, the extent of which is 180 credits, is three academic years. Students who only have the right to pursue a Bachelor's degree have the right to complete that degree no later than one year after the intended time for its completion. The intended time for a Master's degree which consists of 120 credits is two years, while two and a half years is allowed for 150 credits degrees.
The time used to complete a degree does not include non-attendance resulting from voluntary or compulsory military service, nor resulting from maternal, paternal or parental leave. However, if a student registers as attending and studies during any of the abovementioned situations, the maximum time of studies will elapse. Students are also allowed to register as non-attending for a maximum of four academic semesters without it affecting the time counted as completing a degree.
The university can grant an extension to students who have not completed their degree within the target time. Extension time is granted when students present a goal-oriented and realisable plan for how they intend to complete their studies. Otherwise, students will lose their right to study. If students who have lost their right to study wish to continue their studies later on, they have to apply for the right to enter the university again.
The complete guidelines for the delimitation of study time can be found on the University of Turku webpages for international degree students.
Registration with the university
Students must register with the university every year, either as attending or non-attending. If students do not fulfil their enrolment responsibility, they will temporarily lose their right to study. Late registration leads to a fee of ?35 (for 2009), but students are able to enrol.
If students may register, if desired, as non-attending, beginning spring semester of their first academic year, in which case they do not have to pay the Student Union membership fee, but are not allowed to complete courses either. This applies to cases in which students have not received permission from the faculty to postpone the beginning of their studies entirely. In order to receive unemployment benefits, registering as non-attending is not enough. The student must verifiably suspend their studies. This must be done for a minimum one year. More information about the right to study and enrolment can be found in the section Right to Study and Registration.
University/faculty administration
The legislation regulating Finnish universities will change in 1.1.2010. In addition, the University of Turku and Turku School of Economics will merge to form a new university, the University of Turku, as of 1 January 2010.
The University Regulation on Education and Degrees is available on the Internet. The regulations include the most significant principles and regulations concerning the teaching arrangements of the faculties. The current regulation on education and degrees is in force for the academic year 2009-2010. The new University Regulation on Education and Degrees will come into effect on August 1, 2010.
The concrete plans and decisions that have to do with studies are made separately at each faculty, and in matters that concern them it is most best to approach to one's own faculty. The arrangements relating to studies are explained in detail in the faculties' own study guides.
The principles of good administration
The whole authoritative operation leads the legality principal, or an authority can use his/her jurisdiction only according to law in approved intents. In addition, it is provided that the administrative authorities will uphold equality in its actions. Equality means that equal opportunities are provided to everyone in determining their rights and obligations, as well as equal opportunities to execute their rights. Furthermore, the actions of the authorities must be impartial and objectively justifiable. The actions of the administration must not be based on impertinent aims or aims that are otherwise alien, such as favouring friends.
The actions of the authorities must also be in correct proportion to the intended aim. Actions taken must be necessary and unavoidable, and no further explanation than is reasonable required to handle the issue should be expected from the party involved. Students must be able to trust that the actions taken by authorities are correct and accurate, and must be able to rely on consistency in administrative procedures, provided that decisions are not based on false or fundamentally insufficient information from the parties involved.
Authorities must follow these principles of good administration in their actions, and in addition to that, they must actively provide relevant guidance. Thus, authorities must independently offer information concerning matters relevant to the studies of the students and answer appropriate questions and inquiries. Advice of this type is always free of charge. These duties do not however include assisting students in, for example, filling out necessary forms. In connection with advising, it is not necessary to predict the possible success of individual applications. Authorities must use clear and comprehensible language. The use of language must be such that that the student understands the content of the matter unambiguously and gets sufficient information from it.
The right of appeal in administrative decisions
It is possible to make an appeal due to the decisions made by the university, such as student selection and the evaluation of examinations and theses. Appeals should primarily take the form of a request for rectification.
Student selection
Students who are dissatisfied with student selection decisions can appeal to the faculty council. The appeal must be made in writing within 14 days, counting from the release of the results of the selection. When the results of the selection are released, applicants must also be informed how they can get information on how the criteria used in the selection were applied to them, or how applicants can, for instance, obtain a copy of their own entrance examination answers and the evaluation criteria. At the same time the results are published precise directions on how to appeal for rectification must also be given.
In the rectification process, an appeal of the stated decision is made by making a complaint to the Administrative Court of Turku. No appeal can be made of the decision given by the administrative court on student selection.
Evaluation of completed studies
Students who are dissatisfied with the assessment of a course may make a verbal or written request for rectification from the teacher who had given the grade. In the evaluation of a thesis, which is part of advanced studies or others similar studies, rectification is sought in writing from administrative body (dean, faculty council, department council, or the head of the department, depending on the faculty) which decides upon the approval of theses.
An appeal for rectification must be made within 14 days, counting from the publication of the evaluation. A student who is dissatisfied with the decision made on the appeal for rectification can bring the matter to faculty's board of examiners for consideration within 14 days, counting from the day he/she is informed of the decision. It is not possible to seek a reversal of a decision made on appeal for rectification of a grade by appealing to the administrative court.
Other administrative decisions
All other administrative actions or decisions in which final decisions are made concerning the interests or obligations of students can be rectified by appealing to the Administrative Court of Turku. However, court proceedings are difficult and seldom needed, since often matters concerning studying are solved earlier in negotiations in a way which satisfies both parties. The most important thing is that students bring up matters in which they feel they have been treated unjustly. Usually some member of the university community can be found to solve the problems.
Income support
Students' income support is discussed in the Finnish version of this guide in the section (Financing your studies). Other information in English can be found on the webpages for international degree students.
Non-discrimination and equality
Equality
The objective of the Non-Discrimination Act is to foster and safeguard the realisation of equality and to enhance the legal protection of those who are being discriminated against. The Non-Discrimination Act states that no one should be subject of discrimination based on their age, ethnic or national origin, nationality, language, religion, persuasion, opinion, health, disability, sexual orientation or other grounds based on the person. The Non-Discrimination Act also applies to university education. Equality must be realised, among other things, in matters concerning student admission, the admission procedure, evaluation of courses, and in granting student allowances and student benefits. The Act does not, however, prevent placing foreign students into a different position due to their legal status (e.g., requiring a valid residence permit in granting financial aid).
There is an Advisor of Disability Issues at the University of Turku Student Services whose job includes counselling students with disabilities, applicants and university staff, as well as full planning of the general operations of the university in order to promote the realisation of equality. The university has also compiled the guidelines for the realisation of special arrangements for students with disabilities and students with special needs. The guidelines can be found in the section Services for students with disabilities.
According to the Non-Discrimination Act, both direct and indirect discrimination are to be considered discrimination, as is harassment based on those features which are forbidden in the law as reasons for discrimination. It is discriminating to treat a person less favourably than others in a situation which causes disadvantage to the person being discriminated against, for instance, lost benefits or restriction of choices. Discrimination can take place through acts of commission or acts of omission. Harassment means infringing on the integrity or value of a person or group of people.
Gender equality
The purpose of the Act on Gender Equality is to prohibit discrimination based on gender and foster equality between men and women. According to the Act, authorities, educational institutes and communities which provide education must ensure that both men and women have equal access to education and vocational advancement. Also, instruction, research and course materials must support the realisation of sexual equality.
The University of Turku has approved a plan of action to foster gender equality. According to the plan, gender equality must be taken into account in student admission, progress of studies, instruction and educational material and post-graduate studies, among other things. There is a committee on equality issues consisting of ten members from different personnel groups, faculties and the Student Union, the purpose of which is to foster and monitor the implementation and development of equality and to act in fostering equality and preventing discrimination. There is also an Advisor of Equality Issues, who issues guidelines in matters related to equality at the Rector's Office
Sexual harassment
The Board of the University of Turku has also approved Guidelines in the event of sexual harassment or assault . The guidelines also include the contact information of the a committee and the advisor on equality issues, who provide information on how to act in problem situations.
Compensation for damages/insurance coverage
Accidents that happen to students
Students are not in a working relationship with the university. Therefore, the insurance coverage defined in the Employment Accidents Insurance Act does not cover students during theoretical teaching, such as lectures, or during independent study on university premises nor while commuting to and from their residence to a place of study.
If a students has an accident while participating in practical teaching that is equivalent to work or in an internship and which follows the principles of the degree (also outside the university premises), the injury or illness is compensated for as an occupational accident. One requirement for compensation is that the accident is a result of the teaching situation. Accidents are also compensated for if they have occurred directly after commuting from a place of residence or study to the site of practical training, but normal daily commuting to and from one's residence to a place of study is not covered by such compensation.
An accident refers to a sudden, unpredictable incident caused by an external factor resulting in an injury or illness. Occupational accidents must take place either at work, i.e. while doing the work or in conditions that result from the work. Conditions that result form the work refer to various situations outside the actual work situation. Occupational accidents include only accidents that have happened at the workplace, in an area that is part of the workplace, or while running errands for the employer outside the workplace or commuting to and from the work place. In case an accident occurs at work, the costs of necessary medical treatment and losses of earning are compensated for, as well as some other expenses and losses. Rehabilitation can also be financially supported.
Damages that students cause to outsiders
The university will cover the personal injury or material damage that, according to the Tort Liability Act, have been caused by a student during practical training (work training or a study-related job in other departments). The student will be liable to cover the reasonable expenses of an accident he/she has caused, taking into account the degree of damage, the nature of the accident and the position of the causer of the accident. If the accident is a result of minor negligence on the part of the student, there will be no liability for damage. However, if the damage induced by a student is intentional, the student will primarily be fully liable.
Disclosure of information from the student data system
Personal details, contact information and grades and credits of students are recorded in the student register. The student data system is a public document, and the basic principle is that everyone has the right to view information that has been entered in it.
Disclosing personal information
All students have the right to know what information about themselves is entered in the student data system and receive printouts from the register that concern them. For official internal use, personal register information can be disclosed, e.g. information from the student data system; professors, for example, may receive a list of names of students in their subject.
In the case of outsiders, a small amount of verbal public information can be conveyed, or a document to be shown to the person and the person allowed to copy down information. There is no need to justify the request or explain the use the information will be put to, or to check the identity of the person who makes the request. For instance, the parents of a student have the right to inquire via telephone and receive information about the number of courses completed or the grades received by a student.
Students have the right to request that their unlisted phone numbers are not divulged. If a person has a justified reason to believe that their personal safety or that of a family member is in jeopardy, the local register office may, upon request, order that information relating to the person's municipality of residence or address may not released from the Population Information System to parties other than public authorities. The authorities to whom the person's contact details are disclosed will at the same time be informed of the order of non-disclosure for personal safety reasons. Students, however, must personally notify the university of non-disclosure for personal safety reasons.
A copy or printout or information in electronic form can only be given if the receiver, according to the regulations concerning the protection of personal information, has the right to record and use such personal information. Names of students and contact information can be disclosed from the student data system for purposes that relate to studying, such as conducting enquiries and polls and to carry out research and studies or to post information. Students are asked permission to disclose information for such purposes when they register with the university. Such permission can also be given or cancelled later during one's studies. The university does not disclose students' information for direct marketing purposes.
Information from the personal data file can also be disclosed for personal reasons or comparable customary purposes, such as asking for a friend's address, phone number or birthday. When defining personal reasons, the amount of information requested can be used as a criterion to make the decision, for instance, a request for one or two pieces of personal information can be considered as use for personal reasons. This means that private individuals can ask the university for a student's personal information for common personal reasons. The information from the personal data file can be given in such cases verbally or as copies, printouts or in electronic form. However, the university may decide not to disclose information because the student data system is not primarily meant for conveying information, and becasue the information is available from the population register via local register offices.
The handling and conveying of Finnish personal identity numbers (henkilötunnus) is more restricted than that of other personal information. The university may deal with the personal identity numbers of students when it is necessary to identify a student unambiguously. The personal identity number should not be unnecessarily marked on documents that are made based on or printed from the student register. Furthermore, personal identity numbers must not be visible on notice boards.
Completed studies
The documents of a student's exam themselves are confidential, but grades are public information. However, if the grade the student is given or the score of the examination constitute an evaluation of personal qualities and characteristics, the grade or score is also confidential. Students have the right to review their graded examination.
Certificates and other documents containing a verbal assessment of a student's personal characteristics are official, confidential documents. On the other hand, numerically graded certificates issued by educational institutions are public documents. University-level Bachelor's and Master's theses are also public documents.
Publishing exam results
According to the Finnish regulation on the protection of personal information, a university degree is considered public information. Therefore, studies, along with the grades, are also considered public information. This information may be openly published and posted on notice boards according to this regulation. However, the student's names and student numbers may not be published simultaneously on public lists, when e.g. publishing exam results on a notice board. Grades may be listed either using the student's name or student number, not both concurrently.
Exam results can also be published online. Exam results that will be associated with the identity of a student may be published online, only with explicit consent and with the student number. Consent to publish approved exam results on the university internal intranet (Wentti) is requested when the student registers with the university. As exam results are published without a student's name, for example being identified with a number given, publishing exam results online does not require the student's consent, since the personal information is coded into a form unrecognisable by outsiders. This requires that the student numbers and names of the students can not be associated with each other and that the student?s identification information cannot be derived from the numbers.
The ethics of research
The University of Turku complies with the guidelines and recommendations of the National Advisory Board on Research Ethics which can be found on the Internet at www.protsv.fi/tenk. The University of Turku complies with the guidelines and recommendations of the National Advisory Board on Research Ethics which can be found on the internet at www.protsv.fi/tenk. The Chancellor, who is highest juridical authority of research (also thesis work) within the university, should be contacted if there is a problem that cannot be resolved in discussions with the subject/department/faculty.
Instructions for problem situations
If problems concerned with grades arise, the first and foremost action is to contact the person in charge of the studies (usually the teacher). An attempt is always made to solve problems first on the level (subject/department) where the problem has arisen. If the problem is still not solved or its nature is such that students do not wish to handle it with the teacher in question, students should contact the head of the department or the professor of the subject directly.
After this, or if it is a systematic problem or one dealing with course management, the faculty Head of Academic and Student Affairs can be contacted or, if necessary, the dean. If the complaint is directed towards the administrative staff, students may contact the dean of their faculty or ultimately the university Rector.