Participatory budgeting project brings massage chairs to campus

At the start of the academic year 2024, students were once again able to propose ideas to improve the campus experience from a student perspective. The ideation was based on the annual "one euro for every student" participatory budgeting project, which was first organized in 2021. The project aims to develop the campus and its use better by involving students in decision-making, and 14,000 euros were allocated from the university budget for its implementation.

There were plenty of ideas. The project organizers reviewed all the ideas and selected five proposals for voting. The proposals selected for further consideration met the most important criteria for ideation, namely promoting student well-being, inclusiveness, accessibility, sustainability, budget and implementation schedule. Of the proposals selected for further consideration, students voted to purchase massage chairs for the campus. A total of nearly 450 votes were received, of which massage chairs received over 40 percent.

Three massage chairs for everyone to use

Three massage chairs have been purchased for the campus in spring 2025 for all Aalto students to use. The chairs are located in the U-wing of Otakaari 1 near the napping capsule, in the lobby of Otakaari 3, and in the Learning Hub at Maarintie 8 on the 1st floor.