Graduate students will vote on the tax referendum during the spring 2013 tax referendum ballot. The vote occurs every three years.

“We have had minimal tax increases over time because we are particularly sensitive to not asking for more than we absolutely need to operate,” COGS President Stefan Fletcher said.

The taxes go towards COGS providing multiple services for graduate and professional students.
Some of these services include legal services, reduced parking permit rates, a monthly newsletter including academic and social events, and sponsorships and grants to help graduate students, as well as other services.

Fletcher said although it is unlikely, the group would be crippled in its ability to meet the needs of the graduate and professional students if COGS does not receive student taxes. Students always have approved the student tax.

The upcoming election was another subject the board addressed at the meeting, with Fletcher accepting the nomination to run for his fourth presidency. No other members were nominated for president at the meeting, but nominations for all the executive boards are open until the next COGS meeting March 13.

“I’ve been very fortunate over the period of time to work with some pretty impressive and talented graduate and professional leaders and get to know people across the variety of departments and offices throughout the campus,” Fletcher said. “It’s not really what you get out of it — it’s about public service.”

Next term will be the last term for Fletcher as the COGS President if he is elected again, he said.

The election will be held at the next meeting with the full council members voting on the COGS president, vice president for internal affairs, vice president for external affairs, treasurer and secretary positions. Members running for positions will give short speeches at the election meeting.