Dear incoming and returning students ,
On behalf of ASMSU & COGS, we would like to welcome you home to MSU for the 2014-2015 school year. We hope you had an enriching and relaxing summer. We would like to provide you with an overview of your undergraduate and graduate student governments, including our missions and the services we provide to students.
The Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU) has served as the student government for MSU’s undergraduate student for nearly 50 years. In addition to representing students to the Board of Trustees and MSU’s Administration, ASMSU also advocates on behalf of MSU students at the city, state and federal levels on a variety of student initiatives ranging from college affordability to mental health. While ASMSU takes great pride in representing the undergraduate student voice at MSU, ASMSU also provides several programs and services such as free iClicker rentals, free bluebooks, discounted test preparation courses, free yearbooks, free newspapers and free printing, and copying.
Throughout the year, ASMSU allocates over $300,000 to various student groups and organizations across campus for events and programming opportunities. With nearly 100 employees and an annual budget of over $1.5 million, ASMSU also serves as a valuable learning experience for a variety of majors and is the second largest employer of MSU’s undergraduate students.
The Council of Graduate Students (COGS) is the official governance body for more than 12,000 graduate and professional students at MSU. COGS’ charge is to advance graduate education, as well as advocate for the needs of its diverse constituency. This coming year will be full of transition and excitement. The COGS Office will be moving from the Student Services Building to the newly renovated Chittenden Hall. This move will provide graduate and professional students access to a central hub where they can study, relax, and address their academic needs. We encourage you to visit us in our new location and check out our services for graduate and professional students including short term loans, discounted parking permits and conference grant funding. You can also get involved in the governance system at MSU by sitting on an academic governance committee.
Together, our organizations also provide no-cost legal services to students and short-term loans. Please do not hesitate to contact the ASMSU and COGS offices to learn more about our services and how you can get involved.
Thank you & Go Green!
Emily Bank, COGS president
James Conwell, ASMSU president
