The Graduate Student Government was notified by a University administrator on Tuesday that it is suspended of all operations, pending an investigation into complaints against the organization. This suspension will stop GSG from providing funding for graduate students until it is lifted.
In a letter to GSG President Bhagvan Reddy Vemula, a master's student studying information technology, Kellie Cloud, the assistant vice president and executive director of Student Connection and Community, wrote that GSG's request for re-registration in Sun Devil Central is paused.
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The University received complaints against GSG raising concerns about "the organization's ability to conduct its operations in an orderly, ethical fashion consistent with the ABOR Student Code of Conduct," according to the letter sent on May 20.
While paused, GSG may not conduct any business or hold any gatherings of more than two members, except for students who share a residence or work together academically.
The letter also directs GSG to update all social media accounts and public-facing information to show the paused status of the organization. Login information for those accounts must be transitioned to the GSG advisors.
The pause will remain in place until a determination is made for investigations conducted by Student Rights and Responsibilities, according to the letter.
An email chain shows that Reddy Vemula directed all branches of GSG to "fully cooperate in this process to ensure timely compliance and facilitate resolution." However, GSG Assembly President Michael Kintscher, a doctoral student studying computer science, requested administrators to answer several questions about the authority of the suspension before action is taken.
Reddy Vemula did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Kintscher said GSG's re-registration was similarly paused in the summer of 2024 over leadership and credit requirement disputes. Unlike this year, Kintscher said there was no prohibition against gatherings, and complaints were directly communicated by Student Rights and Responsibilities.
Kintscher said it took two to three months for GSG's funding power to be restored in 2024.
GSG adviser Cassandra Aska wrote in an email to the body that "I have confirmed that approved travel grants through May 20, 2025, will not be impacted by this pause." Kintscher wrote in an email that last year they were unable to provide traveling funds for students under similar circumstances.
If last year's freeze applies, that leaves over 41,000 graduate and professional students — according to data from the 2023-2024 academic year — without a source of travel grant or organization funding until the suspension is lifted.
Neither Aska nor GSG adviser Jen O'Brien immediately responded to a request for comment.
"If we are paused, we cannot give money to students," Kintscher said. "Students will miss conferences. They will miss travel opportunities."
This story is developing and may be updated.
Edited by George Headley, Leah Mesquita and Sophia Braccio.
Reach the reporter at coyer1@asu.edu and follow @carstenoyer on X.
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Carsten Oyer is a sophomore studying journalism and mass communication, as well as public service and public policy. This is his second semester with The State Press, having previously worked as a politics reporter.
