Safer space

1. The Safer Space approach involves active practices at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences.

The experience of inclusivity and safety promotes well-being in studying and working environments. Creating opportunities for a sense of safety within the higher education community requires shared practices, principles, and structures, as well as a commitment to them in everyday interactions.

Haaga-Helia has processes in place to address discrimination, harassment, bullying, and other forms of inappropriate behavior if any member of the community experiences or observes such conduct. The principles of Haaga-Helia's Safer Space enable the promotion of equality, fairness, and inclusivity in all interactions.

2. The Safer Space approach is a commitment to Haaga-Helia's strategy for a well-being-focused university, its values, and the legal framework guiding the university's work on equality, fairness, and accessibility.

Haaga-Helia is dedicated to becoming a discrimination-free university and systematically developing practices to identify and address discrimination, bullying, and harassment within its structures and interactions while promoting equality.

The Safer Space approach is an essential part of Haaga-Helia's efforts in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion. It operates at the intersection of pedagogy, student well-being, responsibility, and human resources, ensuring that the student perspective is broadly taken into account in DEI work.  

• Equality plan

3. The Safer Space approach supports diversity, equality, and inclusivity in teaching and guidance.

Diversity, equality, and inclusivity (DEI) are seen as essential skills for the workplace and are addressed from various perspectives throughout students' studies. Haaga-Helia provides training to staff on equity and diversity awareness in pedagogy. The principles of Haaga-Helia's Safer Space are taken into account in pedagogical interaction.

The Safer Space approach, managed by the Responsible Haaga-Helia working group, is continuously developed through collaboration. 

The principles of Haaga-Helia's Safer Space have been developed in collaboration with students, student organizations, and staff through the SOLE project. Creating a safer space is not merely a declaration but requires corresponding actions. The principles of Safer Space are addressed in courses and Haaga-Helia´s events. Ensuring the implementation of these principles in interactions is our collective responsibility!

The Safer Space principles consist of three areas:

• Safe to be
• Safe to participate
• Safe to learn

Each area includes two principles. These principles are regularly evaluated and updated within the academic community.

• We do not accept discrimination, racism, hate speech, or any other form of inappropriate behavior. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards such actions.
• We recognize that the learning community has a shared responsibility to create a safe learning environment for everyone.
• If we intentionally or unintentionally hurt someone, we apologize and engage in mediation. We do not underestimate the other person's experience.

• It is our right and duty to address and intervene in cases of inappropriate treatment. If we experience or witness discrimination, racism, harassment, bullying, or any other form of inappropriate behavior, we refer back to the principles of Safer Space to address the situation. If necessary, we report the incident using the reporting form.

   

The Intervention model for students

1. Report harassment, discrimination, bullying, or other inappropriate behavior

• Submit a report using the form at the top of this page. If you wish for the matter to be addressed, provide your contact information.
• The report will be received by the harassment contact person at Haaga-Helia. If the parties involved are only students, the case will be directed to the corresponding mediator. If both students and staff members are involved, the harassment contact person and the corresponding mediator collaborate.

2. Turvaamo mediator supporting students

• The corresponding mediator of Haaga-Helia will contact the individual who submitted the report within 5 business days during periods 1-4.
• Each campus has a designated trained mediator.
• The corresponding mediator assesses the possibilities for mediation, and legal obligations, and guides the handling of the case in collaboration with the campus mediator.
• If needed, the case will be addressed in other Haaga-Helia expert groups.

3. Evaluation and implementation of mediation

• Mediation requires that all parties are aware of the process and open to mediation.
• Not all issues can be resolved through mediation (e.g., domestic violence).

4. Follow-up and consequences

• During the mediation process, ensuring that all parties can safely return to the learning community is prioritized.
• The mediator guides the individuals to other services, such as the student psychologist, if necessary.
• Consequences follow the provisions of the degree regulations. (LINKKI)

Five questions of  mediation

Haaga-Helia's model for addressing inappropriate behavior is built on the principles of mediation.

What is mediation? It is a conflict resolution model for addressing harassment, bullying, and conflict situations. It is based on the restorative mediation approach, which focuses on finding solutions to move forward rather than assigning blame or determining a single truth. It answers the question: What do we need to continue moving forward?

Why mediation? Mediation is a widely used, researched, and proven model for resolving conflicts. As a byproduct, it enhances the self-efficacy, problem-solving skills, and responsibility of the parties involved. Mediation supports the participants' return to the learning community.

When to mediate? When a student feels the need for support in addressing various harassment, discrimination, bullying, and conflict situations. Mediation can be used if all parties are willing to participate. However, mediation may not be suitable for all situations, such as cases involving domestic violence.

How to engage in mediation practically? Report incidents of inappropriate treatment. You will be contacted within 5 business days during periods 1-4. A trained mediator facilitates the mediation process. For student mediation at Haaga-Helia, Rosa Weckman, the student coach, is responsible.  turvaamo (at) haaga-helia.fi Each campus has a trained mediator.

Where does mediation take place? Mediation is ideally conducted through face-to-face meetings when possible.

Reflection Task: The right to a safe learning community belongs to everyone

As a student at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, you commit to the principles of creating a safer space in your interactions. Promoting equality begins with awareness. Open the workspace and follow the instructions. In your opinion, which principle is particularly crucial for enabling a sense of safety for every student?

Showing concrete commitment to the safer space approach includes having a sticker on your laptop or a badge on your student coveralls. You can obtain one at the well-being events for Haaga-Helia students or by contacting the well-being services at Pasila.

Participate in development and provide feedback

Provide feedback on the implementation of the safer space approach and its practicality by emailing turvaamo (at) haaga-helia.fi. Feedback will be addressed in the student well-being working group.

Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences and Helga Student Union collaborate in the work against discrimination. You can also contact Helga's harassment contact person (helga.fi) for support.

For more information on addressing harassment, discrimination, and inequality legislation and practices in Finland, visit the following websites:

• Non- Discrimination Ombudsman (syrjinta.fi)
• Ombudsman for Equality (tasa-arvo.fi)