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Student Guide

Support in cases of harassment

Aalto University expects its employees and students as well as any other members of the community to act responsibly and treat each other with respect. Any harassment, inappropriate treatment or bullying is prohibited. All members of the community have a responsibility for the atmosphere and well-being of their workplace and studying community.

Guidelines concerning harassment and inappropriate conduct

Have you encountered harassment or inappropriate conduct in the university environment? Support is available. See the following guidelines and information:

  1. Notify the perpetrator.

    If possible, immediately notify the other party that you find their actions unacceptable and demand that they stop it. It may be that the other party was not aware of the impact of their behaviour.

  2. Document the incident.

    Write down what occurred, including for example the time of the incident, and who witnessed it. Also save all correspondence.

  3. How can I further pursue the matter?

    If the harassment or inappropriate conduct continues, you can pursue the matter further even if you did not take Step 1 above.

    If the harassment or inappropriate conduct occurs in a teaching context or is committed by a staff member, contact for example: The head of Learning Services for your school, or the teacher in charge of the course.

    If the harassment or inappropriate conduct occurs between students outside of an academic or teaching context, contact the harassment contact person for the Aalto University Student Union (AYY).

    AYY harassment contact persons: 
    equity@ayy.fi

    If pursuing the matter further feels challenging or frightening, you can go first to the Starting Point of Wellbeing for a confidential talk with a counsellor.

  4. How does the handling of such matters usually proceed?

    The handling follows Aalto’s process for dealing with matters of harassment or inappropriate conduct. The process includes discussions with the parties involved, taking the necessary actions, and follow-up monitoring of the situation. If the matter involves a course, the teacher in charge of the course may request the assistance of an investigator, if necessary. The investigator is the manager of academic affairs or another individual assigned to investigate matters involving inappropriate conduct by a student or inappropriate conduct experienced by a student.

    When necessary, the investigator will hear from the different parties to the incident and inform them about the proceedings and the outcome of the investigation. The investigator may also arrange meetings between the parties. A university psychologist, student health care (FSHS) representative, legal counsel, wellbeing specialist or campus chaplain may assist in the investigation as necessary.  

    Suspicions directed at staff: If the suspicion is directed at staff, the investigator informs the HR manager and coordinates the necessary investigation with HR.

  5. Who is informed about the matter?

    The matter will be communicated only to those persons who deal with the matter as part of their duties or who may provide information on the matter. The privacy of students is protected by not disclosing their identity unless necessary. The contacting person may be required to disclose their identity to those involved in handling the matter. Such disclosure may be required in order to investigate the matter and also in order to safeguard the legal protection of other persons. 

    If the contacting person is a student who requests their identity not be disclosed to a particular person, the student will be informed if such disclosure is nevertheless necessary in order to carry out the investigation. It may be impossible to investigate a complaint notification if it is submitted anonymously.

The following disciplinary measures are a part of the continuation proceedings if neither discussions nor other agreed measures result in an end to the inappropriate conduct or if the case is particularly serious:

In the case of inappropriate conduct by a student:

  • A written warning
  • A temporary suspension

In the case of inappropriate conduct by an employee: 

  • A remark (reprimand)
  • A written warning
  • Ending of the employment relationship

Incidents constituting a criminal offence are reported to the police.
 
If you are accused of inappropriate conduct:

  1. Do not undermine the feelings of the other party; the line between inappropriate conduct and everyday conflict resolution may be a fine one.
  2. If your behaviour is seen as inappropriate conduct, stop that behaviour immediately, even if you do not think such behaviour constitutes bullying or harassment.
  3. Keep a record of the relevant events and occurrences. You can also turn to the study psychologists, if you feel a need to talk with someone.

Fraudulent accusations are taken as seriously as actual incidents of inappropriate conduct or harassment and may lead to the same kinds of disciplinary action.

Inappropriate conduct or harassment – What is it? 

Inappropriate conduct or harassment may appear in a number of ways at Aalto University, and intervention is done in accordance with rules and laws. The university encourages all members of the community to understand what constitutes inappropriate conduct and to act responsibly and respectfully. Inappropriate conduct can take various forms, including:  

  1. Marginalisation: Marginalising conduct denies people equal opportunities to participate in the social networks and activities of the university community. Marginalisation discriminates against people based on e.g. age, nationality, origin, language, belief or health status. Gender discrimination, or marginalisation based on gender, means putting persons into different positions or status categories based on their sex or gender, gender identity or gender expression. Marginalisation can occur when a person is left out of or denied entry to a group, or when their access to information about various kinds of events is hindered.
  2. Bullying: Bullying includes deliberate actions meant to disturb, insult or hurt another person. It can be expressed verbally, physically or in a digital form. The forms of bullying include repeatedly hurting or insulting, belittling, gossiping about or mocking another person.
  3. Sexual harassment or gender harassment: This includes unwanted sexual attention or advances, sexist jokes or sex-related (off-colour) jokes, and physical contact without consent. Sexual harassment may take the form of pressuring a person to have sex.
  4. Threatening or aggressive behaviour: Physical or verbal aggression, the use of force or the threat of using force.

Additionally, inappropriate conduct may take the form of: 

  • Offensive jokes and images:  Offensive jokes may target various minorities and  normalise such behaviour, making it seem acceptable for those with more power to demean those with less. Offensive images may include memes shared on social media or stickers and posters put up in public spaces.
  • Hate Speech:  Hate speech aims to disparage or bring into disrepute a person or group and undermine their sense of security. Targeting or targeted harassment involves inciting a large group of people to attack an individual, for example, through social media or by sending hate messages via email.
  • Exclusion: In exclusion, a person is left out of or denied entry into a group, or is denied fair and equal access to services or social networks. The excluded person may feel compelled to hide or change aspects of their identity in order to be allowed to participate in the group or in activities.
  • Coercion: If a person feels they must say or do something against their will in order to avoid the consequences if they do not, they may well be feeling intimidated or coercively pressured. This may involve pressure to drink alcohol or pressure to accept others’ attitudes and views in order to avoid being excluded from a group.
  • Stalking: Stalking involves repeated, unwanted contact or attention directed at a person in a manner that makes them nervous or fearful. The person may stay away from certain situations in order to avoid the stalker. Typical forms of stalking include repeated unwanted phone calls, text messages and/or frequent ‘accidental’ encounters. 

What is not considered harassment: 

With regard to students at university, the following situations are not considered harassment or inappropriate treatment. 

  • Academic debate and differences of opinion: A basic characteristic of academic teaching and learning is discussion between students and teachers where different views may be expressed and defended. Such interaction is crucial for developing critical thinking and in-depth understanding.
  • Conflicts over academic decisions or interpretations: There may be reasonable differences of opinion over the interpretation of academic performance, for example, involving course requirements or evaluation criteria. Such situations are a normal part of the academic process and can usually be resolved through discussion.
  • Evaluating performance and giving feedback on studies: Academic evaluations and feedback from teachers are a normal part of the student's learning process. Constructive feedback helps students to understand their own strengths as well as areas for improvement, and this gives them the opportunity to improve.
  • Disciplinary actions: The university has the right to impose disciplinary measures on students who violate university rules. Such steps are taken only when justified, and their purpose is to direct the student to act responsibly in line with ethical norms.
  • Work- and study-related issues: Disagreements at universities sometimes arise between students or between staff and students. When dealt with openly and with respect, they do not constitute harassment but are instead a normal part of academic life.

Students can view these as a natural part of the university experience with its opportunities to learn, develop and engage in critical discussion. It is important that students also recognise cases in which they feel they have been subjected to conduct so beyond the normal limits as to constitute harassment; in such cases, they have the right to seek help and support. One source to turn to for help is the Aalto University Student Union (AYY). 

Links

At Aalto University

Services for students

  • (FSHS)
  • – Information and tools for students´Mental Health

For victims of violence, sexual violence and other crime

  • (in Finnish only)
  • (in Finnish only)
  • – against domestic violence and violence against women
  • – for male victims of violence

Read more

Student Guide illustration, applications, instructions and guidelines

Instructions for investigating suspected cases of misconduct and disruptions of student learning

Instructions for investigating suspected cases of misconduct and disruptions of student learning

Applications, instructions and guidelines
Student Guide illustration, applications, instructions and guidelines

Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Applications, instructions and guidelines
People sitting around tables in BIZ premises

Intervening in the harassment and inappropriate treatment experienced by the personnel

The Code of Conduct is one way of putting our values and way of working - the foundation of our community culture - into practice.

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