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Mental Health Committee Holds World Suicide Prevention Day Events on Sept. 10th

Daylong events included a coffee and information station near Wells Hall, an interactive exhibit at the Broad Art Museum, documentary screening of the film ‘The S Word’ followed by a discussion panel, and finally a dinner and reception.  CAPS additionally provided free suicide prevention training sessions at Olin Health Center.  Thank you to all who participated!

See more here:  http://www.wilx.com/content/news/World-Suicide-Prevention-Day-held-at-Michigan-State-University-492903451.html

 

Spring Dialogue Series comes to a close

Last Friday, COGS finished up our semester-long Dialogue Series. Over three events, we discussed and tackled issues of diversity and campus climate. Thank you to all of our insightful graduate and professional students for presenting helpful solutions and participating in open discourse!

Dialogue Series 2018 Events:

  • Open Space Dialogues
  • Forum for Scholars’ Voices
  • Dialogue Over Dinner

 

COGS hosted Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week

COGS hosted Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week (GPSAW) from April 1-7, offering free treats, giveaways and events for the graduate and professional student body.

Graduate and professional students enjoyed an opening-weekend Detroit Tigers game at Comerica Park on Sunday, April 1. On Monday, Sparty’s locations offered 50 cent small coffee or beverages with the use of a COGS coupon. Tuesday, COGS hosted Theatre Night, featuring a discounted showing of Ready Player One at NCG Cinemas. The theater was packed with 72 graduate and professional students. Harrison Roadhouse offered free wings and appetizers on Wednesday. 96 graduate and professional students enjoyed the event. Thursday, students relaxed in the Chittenden Hall Lounge with free 15-minute massages. On “Foodie Friday” the Eat-At-State food truck stationed itself outside of Chittenden Hall, offering $6 lunch combos to students. The COGS office also gave away free MSU Dairy Store ice cream coupons. GPSAW came to a close on Saturday, April 7 with free ice skating at Munn Ice Arena.

 

COGS President Ashley Fuente awarded “Graduate Student Leader of the Year”

The MSU Department of Student Life awarded 2017-2018 COGS President Ashley Fuente with the title “Graduate Student Leader of the Year.” COGS Executive Board members Susanna Maingi and Clarice Esch joined Fuente to represent the organization at the 17th Annual Student Life Leadership Awards on April 18 at the Kellogg Center. The ceremony honored student organizations and leaders who have exhibited outstanding leadership excellence at MSU.

 

Open Space Dialogue on Diversity – Graduate Dialogue Series

 

Saturday, Feb. 10 from 10am to 2pm in 133D Erickson Hall.

COGS held an Open Space Dialogue to address concerns, frustrations and/or ideas about issues of diversity. The Open Space format is designed to encourage discussion and dialogue toward producing recommendations for creating positive culture change at MSU.

Graduate Student and Postdoc’s Guide to Personal Finance – a Seminar

COGS co-sponsored the Graduate Student and Postdoc’s Guide to Personal Finance Seminar on Friday, February 9th, 2018.

Personal Finance for PhD’s Emily Roberts discussed the following:

  • Values, goals, and strategies
  • Budgeting
  • Saving
  • Emergency funds
  • Targeted savings accounts
  • Compound interest
  • Investing
  • Tax-advantaged retirement accounts
  • Debt repayment
  • Grad student pay and taxes

To see a live stream of the presentation click here.

 

 

KIND donates to De-stress & Rest Kits

KIND Snacks donated over 7,000 KIND bars to The Council of Graduate Students to complete this year’s end-of-semester De-stress & Rest Kits. COGS would like to thank KIND Snacks for their contribution to the wellness of graduate students during finals. This is the second year that KIND Snacks has donated to COGS.

Dee Jordan Receives 2018 Excellence in Diversity Award, Individual Emerging Progress

December 1, 2017 — COGS is thrilled to congratulate Dee Jordan, COGS past president (2016-17), who has been selected as the MSU 2018 Excellence In Diversity Award, Individual Emerging Progress recipient! This prestigious award recognizes Dee’s extraordinary and exemplary contributions toward creating a more diverse and inclusive community. COGS is a better organization for her service and strives to mold future leaders in the spirit of inclusiveness, diversity and collaboration. Well done Dee Jordan!

GEU, COGS Hosts Rally Against the Grad Tax

A message from the GEU:

The current tax plan passed by the House of Representatives includes a $1.5 trillion corporate tax cut and a giant tax hike on graduate students. Here at MSU, the average graduate employee makes less than $20,000 in gross pay each year. Under this new plan, 99% of graduate teaching assistants would be paying approximately 10% of their annual gross income toward federal taxes. Over 25% of that same group would be paying 20% of their income toward taxes. This is clearly not a sustainable solution to the financial challenges facing our nation. Grad students already sacrifice enough.

Click here to see how you can help.