Elisa Gebhard is a 21-year-old law major and chair of The Social Democratic Students (OSY). Here she tells us about her organization and why she thinks it’s important for university students to be active citizens.
How long have you been involved with The Social Democratic Students (OSY)?
I joined OSY during my freshman year when an older law major asked me to run for the Student Representative Council. Everyone was very welcoming and soon I was an active member of the organization. Even before I began my studies I had identified as a Social Democrat so the decision was an easy one.
How did you end up with OSY in particular? Are you also involved with the Social Democratic Party?
It took me some time to decide the right party for me. The most important thing was this ideal of a society where anyone can be successful despite of their background or how wealthy their parents are. Because of the Social Democrats, this is possible in Finland. My own parents, for example, aren’t academics but I still got into law school. However, the work for equality isn’t over: education runs in families more heavily all the time and differences in health are getting bigger between different social classes. Still, it is the success stories that motivate me to try and make a difference.
Soon after I joined OSY, I also joined the Social Democratic Party since members of OSY aren’t automatically members of the party. Nowadays I also work as a parliamentary assistant.
What kinds of things do you do in OSY and what is your own role in the organization?
In addition to excursions and other kinds of more factual gatherings, we also take part in political activities from the student perspective. During the time that I’ve been involved, we’ve visited different ministrys, took part in interesting seminars, worked hard to achieve a historical result at the Student Representative Council elections and organized an academic dinner party where we sang the labor movement songs. Our activities look like us and, as a chairperson, my job is to encourage people to organize events that they like and make sure that everything works in practice, too. For me, the most important thing is that everyone gets something out from our activities and feel that they belong.
How would you describe the people in OSY?
People in OSY are forward-looking social democrats who understand the significance of academics in the labor movement and that individual success and strong social conscience can be united. The starting point of the Social Democratic Party is to create a safe and stable society in which we take care of the weak and OSY looks at this goal through the eyes of champagne socialism.
Why does the University of Helsinki need OSY?
OSY is independent from subjects and faculties, and it doesn’t advocate its own advantage but rather a persevering renewal of structures to create a more just and equal university. This means, for example, that the subscription money will be used as effectively as possible for the good of the ordinary students, whether they are actives in student organizations, enthusiastic party-animals or concsientous lecture-goers who feel at home in the library.
Elisa with a former chair of OSY, Tuulia Pitkänen.
The photo is taken by Kari Hulkko and it’s been published previously in the magazine “Demokraatti”
In your opinion, what works well at our university and what needs improving?
The University of Helsinki offers a wide variety of courses that students can attend no matter what their own studies are. It also offers good terms of references for teaching and different kinds of facilities for students to use.
However, we could improve the flexibility of studies and dialogue between the students and the staff. Many students have to tackle problems on their own when they can’t get hold of the person in charge even after five emails. We should obligate and encourage teachers to take their students as seriously as their own research work. More resources to this would be the best way to make students graduate quicker and make them more contented with their studies.
Also, students should be given more opportunities to design the operation of the university and its innovation politics. This could also help students to prepare for the working life.
What do you think is the main theme at the upcoming parliamentary elections?
The most important theme at the parliamentary elections is economics and how we can afford to maintain the affluent society in the future. Our education system and free university tuition are things that we should treasure. People’s discontent will easily turn into bitterness and hate. The more our society can afford welfare, education, and social and healthcare services, the less insecurity we’ll have.
Would you encourage students to vote? Why?
Yes. Education shouldn’t only prepare students for scientific thinking but also to active citizenship. It benefits the university, too, if academic students who know how to apply knowledge and be critical take part in the activities of the society. Students have a good opportunity to familiarize themselves with different subjects and to use their voice. The funding and position of the university in our society is not self-evident. When students take part in society’s operations, it will be of use for the students but at the same time also guarantees that academic thinkers take part in the activities of society.
In this series we celebrate the upcoming parliamentary elections by interviewing students involved in HYY’s political organizations about their values and political opinions. We want to encourage a multivoiced university and dialogue between different political groups by giving voice to these brave and visionary fellow-students. Different views – same university!