Equality and Diversity
Everyone has a right to study and work at the University without discrimination, bullying or harassment. Work for equality and diversity also includes an accessibility angle, consisting of usability of study systems, individual study arrangements and accessibility of the study environment. In addition to participating in the drafting of the university’s equality and diversity plan, the Student Union has its own equality and diversity plan.
Bullying, harassment, discrimination and inappropriate treatment
Bullying, harassment, discrimination or other inappropriate treatment is not part of the university community – just as it is not part of any other place of work or study. All members of the community can play their part in preventing and addressing these situations. If you are being treated inappropriately, please raise the matter as soon as possible. If pointing it out does not help or you are afraid to raise it, you can report it using the form or by contacting the university or student union’s Harassment contact persons. If you notice that someone else is experiencing inappropriate behaviour, you can ask if they need support. You can also report inappropriate behaviour that you see, even if you are not the person being subjected to it.
Student Union harassment contact persons are trained Student Union staff members. You can find the University’s harassment contact persons in the University of Oulu’s Bullying and Harassment Prevention and Handling Guide. All discussions with the harassment contact persons are confidential and will never be passed on without your permission.
A harassment contact person can help in the following ways:
- Providing support when you have experienced bullying, harassment or other inappropriate treatment
- Help you to report a crime
- Refer you to support services, such as YTHS
- Arrange a conversation where you can safely talk through the situation with the person who has misbehaved with you
- Support and advice for organisations if inappropriate behaviour has occurred at an event or other activity of the organisation
A harassment contact person cannot report a crime on behalf of anyone, punish someone accused of inappropriate behaviour or act as a therapist for someone who has experienced inappropriate behaviour. The purpose of the discussions organised by the harassment contact persons is to reconcile the situation and help to find a common understanding. A discussion will only take place if both parties are willing.
Hallopeds are also supported by the Someturva service provided by the university. Read more about Someturva on our halloped page!
Harassment contact persons
The Equality and Diversity Committee and working groups
The University of Oulu has an Equality and Diversity Committee tasked to collect and forward information for the whole university community on questions regarding equality and diversity. The committee hosts trainings and oversees the fulfilment and advancement of the operative equality and diversity plan. The committee prepares the equality and diversity plan for the university. Three equality and diversity working groups consisting of members from different faculties are working under the committee, and they are tasked to advance equality and diversity on faculty and unit level. In the Equality and Diversity Committee and the working groups, students are represented by student representatives of the university administration, known as Hallopeds, and OYY’s Specialist of Social Affairs (sopoasiantuntija@oyy.fi, +358 40 526 5821).