By now the excitement of the beginning of a new school year has worn off, and students are starting to count down the days until their first paper or first big test is due. All the Greek rush events, clubs fairs and student involvement days are over and it may seem that involvement opportunities are scarce because their visibility has been reduced.

This is not the case!

In this column two weeks ago, you read about student leadership groups, clubs, organizations, student committees, campus wide committees and recreation opportunities ”” all of which are still available to you.

If you have questions about how to get involved with any of these things, stop by the ASI office in USU 316; there is nothing we love more than helping students get connected and involved on campus. That said, ASI also functions as your representative body, lobbying locally as well as system-wide and state-wide for issues that impact students and higher education.

Over the course of summer vacation, one such issue was brought to our attention. Students were upset by the amount of crime they saw happening in the community surrounding Fresno State, and they weren’t shy about letting their student government know they were frustrated.

Within a few days, we had received tons of emails, Facebook comments and tweets regarding the issue. The overwhelming student support for a better community environment convinced ASI it was something students cared about and we jumped on board. Now we have full-time staff dedicated to the issue of revitalizing the Fresno State community. We have established partnerships within the community and throughout the city, and would love to partner with you as well.

This is grassroots effort by students, for students ”” we need the support and involvement of Fresno State students to really make an impact and keep the revitalization of the Fresno State community at the forefront.

There are many opportunities for students to get involved in the revitalization effort. If you are interested in sharing your own personal experiences in the community and networking with other students living in the Fresno State area, join the “Revitalize the Fresno State Community” Facebook page.

The Facebook page has become a forum where students share their experiences and collaborate with each other about how to increase their own safety as well as their involvement in the community. It is also a place where we post information and updates about what ASI is doing and how you can help. If you are interested in volunteering, check out ASI’s calendar of events: you can volunteer at the boys and girls club in the area, help with community dinners, volunteer at the Bulldog Pantry or show up with all your friends at our community clean up days. To get a list of events going on in the community, and learn more about the community revitalization efforts of ASI stop by the ASI office in USU 316 or check out our events on ASI’s Facebook or the revitalization Facebook page.

ASI sees this revitalization effort as an opportunity for the students of Fresno State to work with their student government, their administrators and their community to make a lasting impact for their peers and for future Fresno State Bulldogs. We are so pleased and impressed with all of the student support and involvement we have seen thus far and can’t wait to see what kind of change we can make when we are all working together. Go ‘Dogs!

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