When William Hoang started attending classes at the U last fall, he lived the life of a typical commuter student: He went to class, then to work and then home.

Hoang was not involved in any campus organizations or groups and rarely saw friends on campus, which he said made the college experience dreary and monotonous.

“I kind of felt like there was something missing,” he said.

Not wanting to spend the rest of his college years as an outsider, Hoang joined Freshman Council, an organization in the student government designed to help entering freshmen become acquainted with the Associated Students of the University of Utah and campus life.

Now, a year later, Hoang is the co-director of Freshman Council and is inviting new students to join the organization that changed his college experience.

“The students that are involved typically are happier and have better grades,” he said.

Freshman Council is only one of the many options for new students to get involved on campus. In addition to the council, ASUU invites all students, including freshmen, to apply to work for one of the boards in the executive cabinet under ASUU President Jake Kirkham.

There are also a number of volunteer organizations in the Bennion Service Center for students to join. The center recently created a group called the Freshman Service Corps.

Kaycie Kuss, a coordinator for the center, said the group was created because freshmen tend to be less involved in the center than older students.

“(The corps) is a great way to meet student leaders and faculty members,” she said.

To join Freshman Council or any of the ASUU boards, pick up an application in Union Room 234. Applications for Freshman Council are due Friday, Sept. 1 by 5 p.m.; applications for the Freshman Service Corps are available in the Bennion Center and are due Sept. 8.