Governance
Graduate students who are interested in governance organizations have an opportunity to be active at the College and University levels.
UMN Graduate Student Governance
- The University-wide Council of Graduate Students (COGS) is the Recognized Student Governance Association (RSGA) at the University of Minnesota that represents, advocates for, informs, facilitates communications among, and supports Twin cities graduate students (Ph.D. or Masters seeking students).
CLA Governance and Graduate Students
CLA Departments often have their own department student groups. Graduate students should contact their program if they are interested in finding a departmental group.
The CLA Assembly is the policy-making and legislative body of the College of Liberal Arts and a forum for its members to discuss important college-wide issues. To learn more about the CLA Assembly’s purpose, responsibility, and authority, please refer to Article V of the CLA Constitution.
- September 29, 2026
- October 27, 2026
- December 8, 2026
- January 26, 2027
- February 23, 2027
- March 30, 2027
- April 27, 2027
- September 16, 2026
- October 14, 2026
- November 18, 2026
- December 16, 2026
- January 20, 2027
- February 17, 2027
- March 17, 2027
- April 21, 2027
The Course Review Committee reviews and approves proposals for courses to be added to the curriculum and policies governing transfer of credit. The committee shall identify and refer to the dean course proposals with significant financial or policy implications.
- September 24, 2026
- October 22, 2026
- November 19, 2026
- December 17, 2026
- January 28, 2027
- February 25, 2027
- March 25, 2027
- April 29, 2027
The mission of CLA’s Office for Diversity, Inclusion, Community Engagement, and Equity includes meeting students' needs. Still, we do not have regular opportunities to engage with them and seek their perspectives. Our mission also includes engaging in routine consultation with the various constituencies who we serve. For these reasons, Student Voices for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has been created with the following purpose:
- To provide the Office for Diversity, Inclusion, Community Engagement, and Equity with regular opportunities to engage with a diverse group of students to:
- explore diversity, equity and inclusion-related issues or concerns of which our office and/or CLA leaders should be aware,
have more insight into how students with diverse identities experience CLA
seek input or feedback on potential future initiatives, and to
receive counsel as needed concerning emerging diversity, equity and inclusion issues, crises, or opportunities.
In order to accomplish the above purpose, members will sometimes be asked to reflect on their own lived experiences as a CLA student within the context of their salient identities.
2026-2027 Meeting Dates coming soon.
Express your interest in getting involved with CLA governance.
CLA Graduate Student Award Committees
Applicant reviewers are needed for awards such as the CLA Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award which recognizes select instructors who are outstanding teachers of undergraduate students, rewarding their passion and commitment to teaching, and the Motley Exemplary Teaching Award which recognizes faculty who exemplify the highest standards of teaching and scholarship and who have enhanced the lives of University of Minnesota Twin Cities College of Liberal Arts students.
Students interested in getting involved will be contacted in advance of the award process, generally following winter break, to verify you are still interested in serving as a reviewer and that your schedule will ensure you are able to meet the required commitments.