For students who think they can help make Ames a better place to live, the opportunity to do so has just presented itself.

“The city is really looking for students to sign up to participate in a city board or commission,” said Ames City Clerk Diane Voss.

There are a total of 37 positions on various boards and commissions to be filled, and the deadline for applications is this Friday.

“This is really a great way for students to give back to this community,” said Brian Phillips, GSB president and senior in political science. “We have a big impact in this community.”

Application forms are available from the city of Ames Web site, www.cityofames.org. They can also be picked up at City Hall, 515 Clark Ave., or from the GSB office in the Memorial Union.

Some committees that have vacancies are the Human Relations Commission, the Public Art Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission.

“We have many more openings, but those are some of the ones that are really geared towards students,” said Ames Mayor Ann Campbell.

These commissions are geared toward students because of their term duration.

The three commissions have terms that last just one year, compared to other commissions’ terms, which can last two to three years per term.

“We have had students on other commissions in the past, but the time commitment that those require is an understandable handicap to some student schedules,” Campbell said.

She also said that only serious applicants should consider applying.

“We encourage students to apply, but it is a fairly large commitment,” Campbell said.

Some commissions also have prerequisites that may prevent students from getting involved.

“Some require a background in law, and things like that,” Phillips said. “But there are others that only require an interest in the subject and a desire to work.”

Phillips said some of these commissions would complement particular majors.

“Working on the Planning and Zoning Commission would be a great experience for a community planning major, and more artistic majors would benefit from being on the Public Art Commission,” he said.

One of the reasons the city is so anxious to fill these spots is because of how the structure of the system.

“There is a certain number of times any one person can serve on a commission,” Phillips said. “A lack of students means that more non-student residents take the short, one-year terms, and that can bog down the process.”

But Phillips thinks the most important reason to join is to give back to the community students call home nine months out of the year.