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2022 Referendum: April 4 – 10, 2022   **Next Referendum will be April 2025

**UPDATE: COGS Renewal and Amendment has PASSED. Thank you!  You can view results for all initiatives here:  www.studentelections.msu.edu. **

The following tax collection and major governing organizations will be conducting a tax referendum during the Spring 2022 Semester.

• Council of Graduate Students (COGS) – Tax Renewal & Amendment Approval (See Below)
• Council of Medical Students (COMS) – Tax Renewal
• Owen Graduate Association (OGA) – Tax Renewal
• University Apartment Council of Resident (UACOR) – Tax Reinstatement
• ASMSU General Elections (Undergraduate students only.)

Constitutional Amendment:  Article IV, Sections 6.3 and 6.4 of the COGS Constitution

On March 16^th, 2022, the Council of Graduate Students Full Council affirmatively voted to amend Article IV, Sections 6.3 and 6.4 of the COGS Constitution. In accordance with the COGS Constitution, changes to the Constitution must move to referendum and be voted on by the graduate and professional student body.

COGS is seeking to eliminate language from the Constitution that states COGS Officers shall not receive compensation. COGS Officer positions require many hours of unpaid labor that is important to providing academic, economic, and social support resources to graduate and professional students. COGS would like to ensure that there are ample, competitive candidates for each position, and to do so will require allowing individuals holding Officer positions to be compensated for their work. In the 2021-2021 student election, all Officer positions ran unopposed, and the President position remained vacant for a month after elections before being filled while also being unopposed. In the past year alone, 3 Officers have resigned citing lack of ability to pursue the level of commitment required for the positions.

Approval of the amendment to Section 6.3 will eliminate the stipulation that Officers of COGS shall not be provided compensation. Approval of the amendment to Section 6.4 would allow for Officers of COGS to receive compensation in a manner that shall be outlined in the COGS by-laws.

PASSED as of Sunday, April 10 at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Register By 12/11 for COGS/Grad School Discount!  

Come with COGS as we participate in a nature walk with our friends from the Dept. of Forestry! Our hosts are tree experts and will add some fun facts as we enjoy the fresh air! We’ve always wanted to discover the beauty of Baker Woodlot. Now is a great time and we hope you’ll come too!

Date: Saturday, September 7th, 2024

Time: Starts at 1PM *Approx. 1 hour walk

MEET AT: EAST entrance to Baker Woodlot on Bogue Street, next to the Life Science building

Find out more! SPARTAN NATURE WALKS 

Graduate & Professional Students: Try your hand at paddle boarding or kayaking  FREE with COGS at the MSU Sailing Center on Monday, July 15th! COGS is hosting TWO SESSIONS of paddle boarding, no experience needed!  The Sailing Center staff will be there to help you. *No pre-registration is needed, but event is strictly  First-Come, First-Served, accommodating up to 30 paddlers (per available equipment) at each session. *Please arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of desired session to check in,  sign the required liability waiver, and be fitted with safety gear. 

*If you arrive after the session is started, you may be required to wait until sailing staff is able to assist or attend a different session. 

COGS Grad Paddle Event

Location: MSU Sailing Center

5918 Shaw Street  Haslett, MI 48840

Session 1: 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm   

Session 2: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm  

Bonus! Feel free to explore Lake Lansing Parks area while you’re there!