It was a quiet and hot summer afternoon as 23-year-old Jesse Mendiola stood in front of his computer terminal at the Fresno State bowling alley. He stared at what appeared to be a blank screen.

Three young women took turns sliding bowling balls down the third lane and into the gutter. Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push It” blasted on the jukebox.

Aside from Mendiola and the three women, the place was empty. Nobody was playing pool. Nobody was in the arcade. Nobody was watching television or playing X-box.

The Fresno State campus had fewer courses during this past summer’s intersession, according to course catalogs. With limited financial aid and the Central Valley heat, there wasn’t much incentive for students to be on campus during the summer.

The bowling alley is one of the amenities that Fresno State offers during the summer. Located downstairs in the University Student Union, the bowling alley is available to students, faculty, staff, alumni and the general public.

Mendiola has been working at the front desk of the bowling alley for over a year. The junior recently returned to Fresno State after leaving his freshman year and spending three years at Fresno City College.

Mendiola said working at the bowling alley is a “chill” job, especially during the summer.

Mendiola said he has at least two years left at Fresno State and plans to continue working at the bowling alley. He recommends everybody at Fresno State should have an on-campus job.

The bowling alley will be packed over the next few weeks with students enrolled in bowling classes and competitive leagues. According to Mendiola, these activities are not available during the summer.

Chelsi Craig, a senior graphic design major, went bowling this summer on a Friday night.

“There were only three other lanes being used,” Craig said. “It was still a lot of fun, though.”

Craig, who lives a few blocks from campus, was among the few people who took advantage of the bowling alley during the summer.

Students can show their valid student identification card during business hours to take advantage of the student discount. Students pay $2.25 per person, per game or $12 per hour for one lane. That is $1.60 less per game and $8 less per hour than the general public pays.

Faculty, staff and alumni receive a discount, too. They pay $3 per person, per game or $16 per hour for one lane.

With the fall semester here, the University Student Union will be crowded once again, with the sounds of pins falling and people having fun filling the air.