Another month has gone by and October is looming.­ I always love the start of a new month because it seems fresh. It’s a clean slate, an opportunity to improve upon the last month’s foils or completely forget about them. Out of sight, out of mind and off the calendar.

Even when you have thoroughly enjoyed the previous month, flipping the calendar is a reminder of how fast life moves and how important it is to always be in the moment. We must enjoy what we have and work to share our experiences, skills and victories with others.

In the spirit of starting October the best way possible, ASI would like to invite you to participate in our Community Cleanup Day.

On Sunday, Oct. 2, we will be working together with members of the greater Fresno State community to clean up the neighborhoods many students call home.

This cleanup day is an opportunity to do something exciting for the community that we are part of. It is a chance to demonstrate that students care about what is going on around them, and it’s a demonstration of what students can accomplish with teamwork.­ Every individual makes a difference.­ We would love to have you and your friends join us to and promote a positive change in our community.

If you are interested in participating this Sunday, simply grab some friends and arrive at the venue ready to work.­ There will be two sign in locations. The first will be located at the Wesley United Methodist Church on Barstow and Fourth Street; the second will be in front of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity House (PIKE) on Shaw across from Fresno State. Check in is at 1:00 p.m., immediately following check in, we will assemble teams and begin cleanup by 2:00 p.m.

The Community Cleanup Day is not your only opportunity to get involved. This event is part of a much larger yearlong effort by your student government to revitalize the neighborhoods around Fresno State and work with students to make the outskirts of this campus a safe community for students, faculty and all its residents.

It isn’t right that students blame the problems of the community in which they live on the non-student residents, just as it isn’t right that those residents blame students for the same issues.­ We are working hard to change the stereotypes that piggyback students and demonstrate that students are the problem, but rather the solution ”” and they deserve to be respected, involved and safe.

There are many ways to get involved and help us achieve this goal, so please stop by the ASI offices in USU rooms 316 and 317, friend and post on the Revitalize the Fresno State Community Facebook page and participate in some of our events and committees. Even if you cannot commit time to the project, you can always help our cause by being a good steward of the community. Help keep yourself and others safe by removing valuables from your car, locking up bikes and reporting suspicious activity to the police. Respect the community and your neighbors by being clean, respectful and courteous to those who live around you.

Together we can make this month and our community one of service and stewardship ”” together we can make a difference.­ Hope to see you Sunday! Go ‘Dogs!

Selena Farnesi is a senior philosophy and anthropology double major and new Associated Students, Inc. president. She writes a biweekly column for The Collegian regarding ASI, Fresno State, local or state issues.