# Governance

**Source**: https://grad.msu.edu/about-the-graduate-school/governance
**Parent**: https://grad.msu.edu/

The University Committee on Graduate Studies is a standing committee of MSU Academic Governance. The committee has responsibilities related to policies affecting graduate and graduate-professional students and changes in graduate and graduate-professional academic programs.

The [Bylaws for Academic Governance](https://acadgov.msu.edu/bylaws) determine the make-up of the University Committee on Graduate Studies.

## Responsibilities

[The functions of UCGS](https://grad.msu.edu/about-the-graduate-school/governance/summary-of-ucgs-matrix-of-responsibilities) and how they fulfill those functions are determined by the academic governance bylaws.

If you would like to bring a topic that falls within this matrix of responsibilities to the attention of UCGS, please contact the UCGS chairperson (see below for this year's membership) or the [University Steering Committee](https://acadgov.msu.edu/steering-committee).

## Composition

- 1 Faculty member from each college, with a Graduate or Graduate-Professional Degree Program (elected by colleges)
- 1 additional Faculty member from Agriculture & Natural Resources, Arts & Letters, Business, Education, Natural Science and Social Science
- 5 Graduate Students selected by the Council of Graduate Students (no more than one student may be from any one department, with consideration being given to University-wide representation, insofar as possible)

The UCGS has established three subcommittees to address each of its areas of responsibility. These subcommittees provide recommendations to the full UCGS committee.

All members of the UCGS serve on one subcommittee and also serve on the full committee. The three subcommittees are as follows and [described further in the UCGS Subcommittee Duties](https://grad.msu.edu/about-the-graduate-school/governance/ucgs-subcommittee-duties):

1. Subcommittee A: Curriculum & Program Review
2. Subcommittee B: Academic Research Policy
3. Subcommittee C: Graduate Instruction, Employment (non-GEU), and Mentoring Policy

[More UCGS information can be found here.](https://acadgov.msu.edu/UCGS)

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The [Council of Graduate Students](https://cogs.msu.edu/) is an authorized student governance body representing graduate and graduate-professional students' interests at Michigan State. COGS' mission is to improve and advance graduate education in order to ensure the vitality of intellectual discovery.

The [Academic Governance website](https://acadgov.msu.edu/) provides information on MSU bylaws, committees, committee members, meeting dates, and current topics under discussion.