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Graduate Student Resources

Archives

Explore the archive of approved Executive Committee and General Assembly agendas and minutes.

Your First General Assembly

Prepare yourself with the knowledge on how the General Assembly meetings are structured and carried out.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Graduate education may be a taxing experience. Discover specific resources for graduate student mental and physical well-being.

FAQs

Learn answers to common questions asked regarding the structure and operations of COGS.

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Boynton Health’s Nutritious U Food Pantry- Fall 2026 

Boynton Health’s Nutritious U Food Pantry helps address food insecurity on campus and provides fresh, free, and culturally connected food to everyone. Anyone can visit a food pantry event once per week. Check Fall 2026 pantry dates here. 

 

Graduate Student Resource Guide

The Council of Graduate Students Advocacy team has developed an in-depth resource guide for graduate students here at the University of Minnesota. The Graduate Student Resource Guide is linked here.

 

On Campus Housing

Housing and Residential Life currently has openings available for this year. Graduate students are eligible to apply, and apartment assignments will be made by the HRL team following submission of an application. Prior to applying, students are encouraged to contact the main housing office at 612-624-2994 or housing@umn.edu with any questions or for additional information.

 

Prioritize Your Mental Health and Wellbeing

Navigating graduate school can be challenging, but you're not alone. The University of Minnesota offers tools to support your mental health and personal wellbeing: 

  • MentalHealth@UMN: An anonymous, interactive tool that guides you to campus resources tailored to your specific needs.

  • Boynton Mental Health & Urgent Counseling: Immediate, non-emergency support for students with acute mental health concerns is available at Boynton Health from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Mondays - Fridays. Call 612-624-1444 or visit our Mental Health & Counseling Clinic at the East Bank location (fourth floor) to connect with an urgent counselor. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, needs urgent medical attention, or cannot remain safe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

  • Personal Wellbeing: A comprehensive hub providing resources on mental health, substance use, health services, and more.

 

Food Insecurity Resources

Follow this link to see resources on addressing food security on both campuses as well as other resources available in the community.

 

Mindful Mondays

Follow this link to learn more about Mindful Mondays at the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing. Mindful Mondays are free drop-in sessions held on Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. Central.
 

Classroom Emergency Preparedness

In 2024, COGS worked with the Department of Emergency Management to highlight the need for classroom safety tools for graduate instructors, and we’re proud to see progress continue. Here are some resources for collective preparedness:

 

Teaching in Times of Crisis

The Office for Equity and Diversity offers this training to help educators respond effectively in turbulent times and foster care, connection, and deeper learning in the classroom. To learn more and enroll in this self-paced course, click here. For support in enrolling in this course, reach out to oeded@umn.edu. 

 

Preparing Future Faculty Program

Looking to connect with fellow grad students and postdocs or explore college teaching? Fall registration is now open for the Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) Program. Learn more here.


U-Finance: Resources for Budgeting Personal Expenses

U-Finance offers guidance on taxes, nonprofit applications, and budgeting to help students navigate the rising cost of living in Minneapolis. To benefit from U-Finance’s resources, contact us (dalmi013@umn.edu, dange086@umn.edu, kaur0077@umn.edu)  or visit their website.

 

Parking and Transportation Services: Biking Resources

Bike lockers and sheltered bike parking are available for University students, staff, and faculty on campus. Learn more here! 

 

University & Federal Affairs

COGS continues to advocate for clearer resources and stronger protections for students. In addition, we continue to ask the administration to meet the need for students’ basic protections. For questions about your rights related to immigration and federal policies, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities offers several resources that we have compiled below.
 

Graduate Student Resources: Immigration

  • Student Legal Services: Offers advice and legal representation to eligible students on matters spanning gender change to tenant rights to criminal cases and immigration. 

  • James H. Binger Center for New Americans: The Binger Center expands legal services and litigation for noncitizens—focusing on immigration, detainee rights, rural access, and outreach—though it does not offer direct representation to U of M students or staff; community resources are available on its website.

  • Safe Campus Immigration Support: A resources page offering support and answers to FAQ regarding federal immigration policy updates

  • International Student and Scholar Services: In case you travel and have an emergency, you can call ISSS emergency contact to speak with an officer. In those cases, international students can call 612-301-CALL (2255) to be connected to an ISSS staff member at any time of day. 

  • Know Your Rights: Your rights may vary depending on the situation, including whether you are approached where you live or in public. Familiarize yourself with these different scenarios so you are prepared to respond appropriately.

 

Additional Graduate Student Resources

In addition to the above resources, COGS in communication with the Office of Student Affairs, can offer the following resources:

 

Additional University Resources Related to Federal Governance
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