Organization and Operation COGS is constituted as a representative democracy. The plan covers almost all preventive and other medical services, including prescription coverage with a copayment. There are almost no copayments, except for prescriptions and mental health coverage. It is difficult to get an accurate TA salary picture. Appointment levels vary, and the wage scale va ries by degree held, as well as other factors.
Job security is an ongoing issue.
Only half of all graduate students at any one time have any kind of financial support from the University Administration in the form of Graduate Assistantships. There are TA workshops and training sessions at the beginning of each quarter, as well as ongoing through the year. COGS does not offer any of these but does help to publicize them. At various times in the history of the organization, COGS has been acti ve in pushing for more training and TA development. More and more graduate students are being supported on Research Assistantships, rather than Teaching Assistantships.