In response to perceived injustices and a call for academic reform, a significant number of University of Helsinki students organized an occupation of the Old Student House. The protest stemmed from growing frustrations over the traditional and hierarchical nature of the university's governance and curriculum. Students argued that the existing structures did not adequately represent their interests or voices. The occupation began as a peaceful demonstration, with students setting up discussions and meetings within the occupied space to draft their demands for reform and better representation.

During the occupation, students engaged in public debates and organized workshops to foster solidarity and commitment among participants. This initiative was part of a broader wave of student activism that swept across Europe and the world during the late 1960s, fueled by the anti-establishment sentiments that characterized that era. The activists sought to create a model of participatory democracy within the university setting, pushing for greater inclusion of student perspectives in administrative decisions.

The occupation garnered attention in Finnish media, sparking discussions on student rights and reform in higher education. The actions taken by these students were pivotal in highlighting the need for structural change within academic institutions, not only at the University of Helsinki but in Finland as a whole. Over time, this movement contributed to an evolving landscape of student governance and academic freedom in Finnish universities.