East Lansing residents looking for a way to get involved in the decision-making processes of the city have about two weeks left.

Applications are currently being accepted for 13 of the city’s 18 advisory boards and commissions dealing with the arts, environment, city government and numerous other issues.

Several of East Lansing’s boards and commissions are looking to fill vacancies created by terms expiring in December as well as some already existing empty seats, creating a total of 26 open positions.

The role of boards and commissions is to advise the city council on issues and the actions they should take and direct involvement assures your ideas and concerns are heard, said Darryl Svochak, who chairs the Housing Commission.

“It doesn’t take all that much time, and while you don’t get paid, you have an opportunity to present your viewpoints to council and get them heard,” he said.

City advisory boards and commissions currently seeking applications are: Arts Commission (two), Board of Review (one), Building Board of Appeals (one), Cable and Telecommunications (three), Commission on the Environment (four), East Lansing Recreation and Arts (one), Historic District Commission (three), Commission on Housing (four), Human Relations Commission (two), Planning Commission (one), Seniors Commission (one), Transportation Commission (two) and Zoning Board of Appeals (one).

Applications for appointment and descriptions of the duties of commissioners can be picked up at City Hall, 410 Abbott Road, in City Clerk Sharon Reid’s office or the city council office.

And Svochak said in the continued city effort to improve relations between the student population and the city itself, he personally would like to encourage students to apply.

“Students live in East Lansing too,” he said. “A lot of the commissions even have spots reserved for students either through ordinance or tradition so I would encourage them to apply and get their voices heard.”

City Manager Ted Staton said the city has made a conscious effort to increase student involvement in city processes over the past five years.

“We pride ourselves on being a government that values participation from all our citizens,” Staton said. “City council takes these appointments very seriously and value the advice these boards and commissions and the city gives them.”

All applications for appointment are due to the city council office by 5 p.m. Oct. 29. A separate application must be completed for each position for which a person is applying. Only applications received during 2001 will be considered, but those who have applied in previous years are encouraged to reapply.

The city council will make all its appointments in late December.