COGS Hosts Graduate Student Town Hall with President Cunningham

On November 12, 2025, the Council of Graduate Students (COGS) hosted a special town hall with University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham in Tate Hall 110 from 4:00–4:50 p.m. The event brought graduate students together with university leadership to discuss mental health, international student support, funding, campus safety, and other pressing concerns. 

Throughout the town hall, President Cunningham emp

hasized that improving the student experience, particularly for graduate and professional students, is a central pillar of the University’s ongoing strategic planning process. She highlighted mental health as an institutional priority, noting efforts to expand counseling resources, reduce wait times, and ensure that services are available across all system campuses. Cunningham also reaffirmed the University’s commitment to supporting international students as federal visa rules evolve, acknowledging the uncertainty caused by recent policy proposals and stating that the administration intends to closely monitor changes and respond with clear guidance.

Cunningham addressed concerns about the broader funding landscape, noting that the University has faced disruptions related to federal investigations and the loss of several research grants. She explained that although uncertainty remains, the University continues to apply for and secure federal funding, and leaders are working to stabilize research operations. On campus safety, Cunningham described targeted efforts in areas such as Dinkytown, including adjusted police staffing, increased community partnerships, and prevention-focused strategies, to maintain safety while avoiding unnecessary escalation of policing.

During audience Q&A, President Cunningham responded to questions about the University’s decision to discontinue hosting high school graduation ceremonies, the rationale behind the recently implemented maintenance fee, and the University’s approach to artificial intelligence tools in classrooms. She stressed the need for campus-wide clarity on permissible AI use, affirmed the importance of transparent communication about fees, and described the institution’s constraints in supporting large external events given limited staffing and safety resources.

The session, which was an avenue for graduate students to speak directly with university decision-makers about issues such as tuition and fees, the new maintenance fee, and the development of the University’s strategic plan, was a success as there was an open dialogue between university management and the students.

The session concluded with expressions of appreciation for the productive dialogue and a reminder of ongoing opportunities for graduate students to stay engaged with institutional decision-making through COGS events and initiatives.

Event Contributors:

Moderator 1: Boluwatife OLU Afolabi, COGS President and PhD student in Dentistry

Moderator 2: Christine Chau, COGS Vice President and PhD student in NeuroscienceOrganizing Support: Angel Roberts (COGS Speaker), Chase Krug (Student Senate Representative), Jessica Tuleassi (Director of Communications), and other COGS representatives. 

Office for Student Affairs Staff: Vice President for Student Affairs Maggie Phillips, Emma Welch, Meghan Thul, and OSA colleagues