A different kind of counseling has been helping incoming Iowa State freshmen adjust to college life since 1996.

The Freshman Council, originally a sub-committee of the Government of the Student Body, “gives opportunities to freshmen to interact and communicate in a variety of activities,” said Laura Bestler, assistant director of student activities and Freshman Council adviser.

Jennifer Spencer, president of the Freshman Council, said the Freshman Council’s purpose is to “support, educate and represent the freshman class at Iowa State.” She said the council also gives freshmen a chance to get involved and participate in activities.

Spencer, who is a sophomore in journalism and mass communication, said freshmen receive opportunities for leadership with the Freshman Council that they would not get otherwise, due to the seniority of upperclassmen.

“[Upperclassmen] don’t remember what it’s like to be freshman,” Spencer said. “[Freshman Council] is not strictly limited to freshmen, but [the upperclassmen] do need to have freshmen needs at heart.”

Spencer said sophomores “get things going” in the fall semester with the assistance of freshman sub-committee members.

Spencer said there are currently around 60 sub-committee members and 15 to 20 sophomore executive members to help the freshmen get started, but “the freshmen get a chance to do what they want.”

Freshmen apply and are interviewed for executive council positions for the spring through the following fall semesters, Spencer said.

Applications for this year’s executive council positions are due Sept. 18 at 5 p.m.

In the past, freshmen on the council have helped with Habitat for Humanity and sponsored social events such as dances, homecoming events, a Veishea booth and Cycloned Out — the ISU version of Singled Out, Bestler said.

“[The Freshman Council] provides a voice for freshmen on councils,” Bestler said. “It’s one of the strongest groups on campus.”

Bestler said the council has new goals for this year, such as focusing on multiculturalism and a new program called Ames Bond, which provides freshmen who are far from home with a chance to signup for a host family in Ames.

Bestler said teaching freshmen the issue of multiculturalism is important to the council.

“It will help students get a better idea and learn about each other,” she said.

“We want to have a lot of focus on [multiculturalism],” Spencer said. “We want every student to feel they have a voice.”

Spencer said the main goal of Freshman Council is to “let every freshman know we exist.

“It’s so much fun. I’ve really met my best friends through it,” she said. “The executive members were a great resource to me and helped me out when I was a freshman.”

Bestler agrees.

“It’s the best group of students to socialize with. [The members] are networked. They will be big leaders on campus,” Bestler said.

The Freshman Council is hosting a barbecue to help students get acquainted on Sept. 9, Spencer said. The barbecue will be held south of the Campanile from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.