The Board of Graduate Studies (BOGS) was known formerly as the Graduate Council. The Graduate Council's first meeting was on October 23, 1945. This committee is still in existence under it's present name.

After the initial meeting of the Graduate Council in October, 1945 the Graduate Division, as the Graduate School was initially called, began its existence in the first summer session, June, 1946. In the 1992-93 academic year the name was changed from the Graduate Council to the Board of Graduate Studies. The Board of Graduate Studies (BOGS) is still in existence. In 1971-72 the charge was: "The Council, of which the Dean of the Graduate School is chairman, makes its recommendations to the Academic Vice President on all matters concerning policy and programs in the Graduate School. It is constituted by the chairmen of departments offering graduate programs." In the 1982-83 academic year the charge was: "The Graduate Council consists of the Dean of the Graduate School, ex officio chairperson, the Dean of the College of Business Administration, nine faculty members nominated by the Faculty Committee, and other members of the administration as nominated by the Academic Vice President. The Council makes its recommendation to the Academic Vice President." (Source: the Annual Lists of University Committees).The Annual Document of University Committees for 2012-2013 provides the following description of the Board of Graduate Studies: its role, composition, and reporting responsibilities: "BOARD OF GRADUATE STUDIES Charge: The Board of Graduate Studies: 1. Works towards resolving redundancies across colleges involving: new graduate courses or revisions to existing graduate courses that are approved by the college curriculum committees; new graduate programs or revisions to existing graduate programs that are approved by the college curriculum committees. (Graduate programs are defined in the University Catalog.) 2. Ensures that resources exist to accommodate the requirements of new graduate courses and programs or revisions to existing graduate courses and programs when the requirements draw upon resources in other colleges. 3. Makes certain that graduate courses or programs support the Mission of the University. 4. Implements and decides upon revisions to the graduate University Grading Policies, such as university grading designations and standards for graduation. 5. Initiates revisions and recommends improvements to the Graduate University Catalog. 6. Reviews and makes recommendations on issues concerning the scheduling of the Graduate Academic Calendar. Membership: Membership consists of six (6) tenured or tenure-track faculty members (two from each college elected by the Faculty Assembly), the deans (or their representatives) of the three colleges, one (1) graduate student recommended by the Provost and Chief Academic Officer, the University Registrar (ex officio, non-voting), and the Provost and Chief Academic Officer (ex officio, non-voting). The Chair will be elected from the faculty members by the committee. Voting: Approval of a proposal requires a quorum and a simple majority vote of affirmation from those in attendance. Reporting: The Board of Graduate Studies reports to the Provost and Chief Academic Officer and to the Faculty Committee through an appointed liaison. Also, the Board of Graduate Studies has the responsibility to respond to the Curriculum and/or Program Committees that have submitted graduate course or program descriptions for review as described above in the charge section."