The student union of the Turku University of Applied Sciences – TUO is the student’s own legally acknowledged service organisation that looks after student interests. TUO has altogether around 4000 members from four different localities: Loimaa, Länsi-Turunmaa (Parainen/Pargas), Salo, Turku and Uusikaupunki. The membership of the student union is optional. TUO belongs to SAMOK ry, which is the umbrella organisation of the student unions of the Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences. TUO is religiously and politically neutral and independent from trade unions.
TUO takes care of the interests of it’s members and functions as a bridge between students, the university and the surrounding community. In practice this means giving statements and taking a stand in vital issues concerning study-related matters. It also means forming relations and creating contacts along with choosing student members to operate in various facilities that concern themselves with these vital issues.
TUO represents students legally i.a. in the following internal university facilities:
- The government of the Turku University of Applied Sciences
- The board of student benefits
- The curriculum planning team
- The degree board
- The media network
In addition to this TUO has representation i.a. in the government and the board of the Student Village Foundation and Turku’s university student’s financial support network.
TUO offers numerous membership benefits that one can get with a SAMOK student card. There is e.g. free legal council available, just to mention one service, among several others. The members also get help with study and financial related matters from TUO’s office.
The bookshops of TUO are situated on Sepänkatu and Ruiskatu in Turku.
A magazine called Tuokio is published four times a year. In addition to this, new members get a summer edition of the newsletter. The members also get a handy pocket calendar at the start of a new school year.
TUO organises numerous events during the school year. Physical exercise is offered weekly along with other leisure activities. TUO attempts to offer different activities to appeal to everyone.
“Keltanokkabileet”, the freshman party, is the most known and visible out of TUO’s parties. This party gathers together almost 2000 students from the Turku University of Applied Sciences. First the unforgettable freshman oath is taken on the hill of Samppalinna and then the students set out to explore the streets, restaurants and pubs of Turku. The end event of the day is a massive party. Each year the party has a theme, which can be seen in the dress code.
In addition to “Keltanokkabileet” TUO organises a spring Love Boat-cruise named “Lemmenlautta-risteily”, and many other events during the school year.
