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The Council of Graduate Students (COGS) is the student governance organization representing nearly 10,000 graduate students at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Its mission is to advocate on behalf of graduate students and for graduate education within the University community, and to ensure graduate students -- who are integral to the support of the research and teaching enterprises of the University -- are fully supported by their advisors, departments, colleges the Graduate School and the University at large.
COGS is an open and democratic organization, comprised of graduate students from across the University. COGS provides opportunities for graduate students to participate actively in University governance and policy-making decisions, as well as social, cultural and professional development programming. The backbone of the organization is the General Assembly, comprised of Program Representatives selected by all graduate degree-granting programs at the University. COGS also elects representatives to serve on University-wide committees, the Graduate Education Council, and in the University Senate.
The Council of Graduate Students is a member council of the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA). GAPSA is the umbrella-body for all 10 student councils that represent graduate and professional students. Our representation at GAPSA consists of the President and our senators.
GAPSA handles similar advocacy and activist duties, acts as a locus for political and lobbying efforts with the state legislature, and hosts many social events.
The Council of Graduate Student receives it funding through a fees request proposal to the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA). GAPSA includes the COGS request and adds it to their fees request proposal delivered to the University. All graduate students are required pay the fees from which we receive our funding.
