Hunter
03/07/24
Dozens of members of the University of Iowa Campaign to Organize Graduate Students, or COGS, are demanding that the university end student fees.
The Daily Iowan reports the students rolled out a petition on the Pentacrest Tuesday to call for an end to the fees. The petition garnered more than 1,000 signatures.
Graduate students in the biology, dance, engineering, Spanish, and other departments signed the petition. The petition was then delivered to Jessup Hall, where President Barbara Wilson has her office.
The Office of Student Financial Aid says graduate students pay fees for technology, activities, mental health and overall student health. Students don’t get their first stipends until those fees area paid.
Many said the fees make it harder for them to pay rent and affects their food budgets.
COGS estimates that for international students who pay more, up to 7% of their annual wages are given back to the university in fees.
An anonymous poll conducted by the graduate student group allowed participants to make comments about their situations. One accused the U of I of paying “poverty wages” and squeezing grad students for “every last cent.”
The group is asking for a response to their demands within two weeks.