University Rules

1. Purpose and scope of the University Rules

1.1. The University Rules were adopted as provided in section 31, subsection 2 of the Universities of Applied Sciences Act (932/2014) to promote internal order, unhindered studying and working as well as safety, security and comfort in the community of Häme University of Applied Sciences (later referred to as HAMK).

1.2. These rules, and also the separately defined principles of a safer space, are valid at all times and apply to everyone on HAMK’s campuses and in online environments, including students, staff and visitors. 

1.3. These rules cover the physical campus facilities, including teaching and research facilities and storage buildings, outdoor areas and roads on the campuses as well as virtual facilities, including online learning environments, platforms for communal work, social media channels and other communication channels.

1.4. Where relevant, these rules also apply to study and work situations outside the campus and online services, for example work placements, international exchanges, study visits and representing HAMK.

2. General conduct

2.1. HAMK promotes diversity, equality, inclusion and accessibility in everything it does. The HAMK community members are expected to respect people from different backgrounds, contribute to ensuring equal opportunities and rights for all, and create an inclusive and safe environment.

2.2. Any form of harassment, discrimination and threatening or disruptive behaviour are strictly prohibited and will be addressed immediately. Any such behaviour should always be reported without delay to the staff (students) or a supervisor (staff) either directly or by submitting a safety observation (link).

2.3. Community members must communicate and express themselves respectfully and observe good manners. Internal communication and information channels are used to communicate about matters relevant to studies and work. Discussions on other topics are conducted on channels specifically intended for them. 

2.4. A teacher may record image, videos or audio without separate consent for the purposes of work carried out in a module. For more detailed instructions on recording teaching situations, see the Digipedagogical guidelines (link). Students and staff additionally have the right to record material related to teaching or work for their personal use, unless this has been specifically prohibited. When filming, recording and sharing any other material, good practice should be followed and privacy, data protection and information security should be ensured. Consent must be requested for capturing, sharing and publishing material featuring individuals and copyrighted material. This also applies to publishing images on the Internet and social media. Individuals should not be photographed or filmed unnecessarily.

2.5. In situations involving verification of identity (including examinations), the face of the person to be identified must be visible. Identity checks should be carried out respectfully and following good practice.

3. General safety, security and order

3.1. Every member of our community has a duty to promote its safety and security. All community members must comply with the safety guidelines and, where possible, promote general safety and security both on the campuses and in online environments.

3.2. In situations that put human life and health at risk and in other emergencies, emergency number 112 should always be called. In emergencies, community members must follow instructions issued to them and the rescue plan as well as ensure their personal safety and the safety of others.

3.3. Any identified safety deficiencies, hazards and risks must be addressed without delay and, where possible, remedied immediately. The issue must be reported to the person or unit responsible for it or, if not known, to the staff (students) or a supervisor (staff), either personally or by submitting a safety observation (link).

3.4. Illegal objects or substances must not be brought to HAMK’s premises and campus areas without an acceptable reason.   In particular, possession of hazardous objects that could be used as a weapon is prohibited in principle without an appropriate reason, such as performance of a task related to studies or work or other acceptable purpose of use.

3.5. Staff members must participate in safety training, exercises and other safety events organised for them, including safety walks and evacuation exercises, and follow safety-related communication on HAMK’s information channels.

3.6. A supervisor must ensure that the level of their team’s safety competence and equipment are sufficient for their tasks and work environment as well as engage the team in discussions and create a shared understanding of safety issues and changes relevant to them. If necessary, the supervisor must launch systematic efforts to improve safety capabilities.

3.7. Students must participate in safety exercises and training organised for them, unless there is an acceptable reason for being absent, including health-related or other weighty reasons. When organising exercises and training, potential stress affecting the participants’ mental well-being must always be taken into consideration. 

3.8. The building and safety technical equipment or safety arrangements of the premises, including air conditioning, locks, fire alarms or escape routes, may not be disabled or altered without the permission of HAMK’s facilities management and services. The escape routes and emergency access roads of buildings must be kept clear at all times, and any obstacles must be removed from them immediately.

3.9. The staff must keep their HAMK ID cards visible during working hours unless this interferes with or poses a risk to the performance of their tasks. A supervisor must ensure that everyone in their team has an up-to-date staff ID card. In the interest of security, ID cards may not be carried together with keys or access control tags (see section 4.3). When the employment relationship ends or the card information changes, the ID card must be returned to HR Services without delay.

3.10. Attending teaching or working while intoxicated is prohibited. Disruptive behaviour caused by intoxication will be addressed immediately. Valid alcohol legislation and official guidelines will be complied with at any events on the campus where alcohol is served. 

3.11. We have zero tolerance for the use, possession and peddling of drugs on our campuses. Such activities will be addressed immediately, however without putting anyone’s safety at risk. If direct intervention is not possible, a safety observation (link) should be submitted. All drug-related matters will also be reported to the police. 

4. Facilities and equipment

4.1 HAMK’s facilities, equipment and services are primarily intended for studying, conducting research and performing other tasks associated with the higher education institution’s operation. Their use for other than the intended purposes without permission is prohibited. All community members should make sure that the facilities are used appropriately and carefully, ensuring their tidiness and comfort.  

4.2. Camping on HAMK’s campuses and staying overnight in its facilities not intended for this purposes or in their outdoor areas without separate permission are prohibited.

4.3. The staff and students must keep their keys and access control tags carefully and following the instructions issued. Keys must not be attached to key rings with organisation IDs or other identifiable items, including HAMK lanyards or marketing key rings that may indicate the premises they are used to access. Unwanted keys and access control tags, or ones no longer associated with access rights, must be returned without delay to persons responsible for key management on the campus or facilities management and services.

4.4. No unidentified persons may be allowed to enter unescorted the facilities for which a special key or access control tag is required, or which are locked outside opening hours. To verify their identity, staff members, students or visitors seeking to enter the premises may be asked to show a HAMK ID card, student card or other proof of their right to access the facilities. Visitors must be invited or received by a designated person (see section 5.4).

4.5. HAMK’s facilities, equipment and other property must be handled responsibly and with care, ensuring that they remain functional and safe. Anyone damaging the premises or property deliberately or through negligence will be liable for the damage and subject to potential disciplinary action. 

4.6. If necessary, HAMK may place security steward(s) in its facilities when, under the law, this is justified in order to maintain public order, safety or security.

4.7. Any faults, deficiencies or misuse of the facilities or their building services equipment, including electricity, lighting, air conditioning or water supply, must be reported immediately using the KiPiNet system (link).

4.8. HAMK accepts no responsibility for private property, valuables and money in its area. Lost property recovered in the facilities and campus outdoor areas will be treated as property found in a public place. Such property will be kept for 6 months (excluding perishable or clearly unusable items). After this period any lost property, other than items of low value, will be delivered to the lost property office of the nearest police department.

4.9. HAMK’s information systems, IT devices, telecommunications connections and other IT resources must be used responsibly for studying, teaching, research and other activities of the higher education institution. They must be used in compliance with HAMK’s information security policy, rules for IT equipment use and other IT instructions (link). Each HAMK community member is responsible for their user ID as well as information security and data protection. Any risks and deviations observed must be reported to HAMK’s Digital Services Helpdesk (link).

5. Visitors and the campus as a public space

5.1. HAMK campuses are open to visitors during normal opening hours. The basic principle of our community is respectful and friendly behaviour, and we also expect it of our visitors.  

5.2. Disruptive and/or inappropriate behaviour on our premises and campuses will always be addressed. All visitors have a duty to comply with the valid rules and instructions for safety and premises use, and these rules must be made clear to visitors without delay where necessary. 

5.3. Events of political, religious and otherwise ideological nature organised by third parties and the distribution and presentation of materials pertaining to such ideologies are only permitted with the permission of HAMK’s management. Prior notice must be given of any public meetings organised in the facilities or campus areas, including demonstrations, to ensure the participants’ safety and to prevent unreasonable inconvenience to HAMK or damage to its property.

5.4. Accessing premises that are kept locked outside opening hours and facilities subject to access control at all times is only possibly with keys or access control tags that are assigned to a specific person and may not be handed over to others. Visitors entering the facilities are always the responsibility of the person who has invited or receives them (see section 4.4).

5.5. Our visitors can also inform the staff of their safety observations or submit a safety observation (link).

6. Procedure for violations of the University Rules and penalties

6.1. Any violations of these rules that come to light will be addressed without delay. All violations will be handled on a case-by-case basis, and penalties will be determined based on their seriousness.

6.2. To ensure open, smooth and fair processing, any observed violations should be reported to the Head of Degree Programme or a supervisor, preferably in person. Alternatively, a safety observation (link) can be submitted, also anonymously. Anonymous reports will mainly be handled as tips, and other evidence must be obtained before decisions on any further action are made. All reports will be handled confidentially.

6.3. Reports intentionally containing untrue information will always be regarded as harassment. Submission of such reports may also constitute some other offence, including defamation or persecution.

6.4. The procedure and penalties for students are specified in detail in the degree regulations (link). For the staff, penalties will be determined in compliance with the Employment Contracts Act. If a visitor violates these rules we can take the necessary action, including intervention in the violations, preventing them, or asking a visitor to leave the campus.

6.5. If a violation of these rules meets the characteristics of an offence, it will also always be reported to the police.

7. Entry into force and updates

7.1. These rules were discussed by the cooperation group 1 April, 2025 and adopted as a HAMK guideline by the Quality and Risk Management group 26 May, 2025. These rules will come into effect on June 16, 2025.

7.2. HAMK reserves the right to modify and update these rules when necessary. Information on any modifications will be provided on HAMK’s communication channels. All community members have a duty to keep themselves informed of the valid University Rules.