Number of board members at the University of Oulu reduced to ten – Relative representation of the university community increases

The University Collegium of the University of Oulu decided in its meeting on 29 January 2025 that the number of board members for the next term will be ten and that the term will last for four years, from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2029. The terms of all current board members will end at the end of this year.

The number of members from the university community will remain unchanged. Of the six members, professors, other staff (including other teaching and research staff and other staff), and students will each have two representatives, following the principle of equal tripartite representation.

The number of external members will be reduced from five to four for the upcoming term. The collegium appointed a working group to prepare the selection of external members, consisting of professors Helka-Liisa Hentilä and Matti Alatalo, staff representatives Jari Laru and Pirkko Viitala, and students Leea Putula and Suvi-Anna Salminen.

"A four-year term aims to bring continuity to board work. The goal is also to strengthen university democracy and the voice of the university community in decision-making," says Helka-Liisa Hentilä, the chair of the University Collegium.

Professors and other staff representatives will be elected through administrative elections in autumn 2025. The student representatives will be appointed by the Student Union of the University of Oulu. The term for student representatives is two years.

The relative representation of the university community on the board was also increased for the 2022–2025 term. At that time, the collegium reduced the number of board members from twelve to eleven by removing one external member position.

Additionally, the university collegium:

  • appointed University Lecturer in English, Andrew Pattison, as Jari Laru’s personal deputy member in the University Collegium following Vaili Jämsä-Uusitalo’s retirement,
  • authorized the chair of the collegium to hold discussions with auditors in accordance with the auditing act and good auditing practices, and
  • met with the Board of Directors to discuss current issues.
Last updated: 30.1.2025