AYY is the Student Union of Aalto University. In accordance with Finnish law, all students of Aalto University are members of the Student Union. The Student Union is a result of a merger of three separate Student Unions - The Student Union of the Helsinki School of Economics, the Student Union of the University of Art and Design Helsinki and the Student Union of Helsinki University of Technology. The Student Union, starting activities in January 2010, has approximately 170 million euro in assets and some 14 000 students as members. The interests of 14 000 students result in a wide spectrum of activities, and therefore the aim of the Union is to link its members to promote their civic, social and intellectual aspirations. But apart from social activities the Union also plays an active role in the workings of the University. Through student representatives, selected by the Union, students take part and influence the decisions of various administrative committees and boards at all levels of the University. AYY also provides homes for over 3000 students in Espoo and Helsinki.