The Minnesota DailyâÄôs Nov. 1 story, âÄúNeighborhood groups lack student involvement,âÄù reports a perennial problem of students not getting involved with community organizations. The article cited a lack of interest and problems with recruiting as causes of the low involvement rates.

The problem of student involvement was actually much worse during a period in the 1980s and early 1990s. At that time, the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood group shamefully engaged in some very strenuous efforts to prevent student involvement, and the Cedar-Riverside group tacitly avoided student participation.

However, IâÄôm happy to say that currently one important group, the Cedar Riverside Neighborhood Revitalization Program, has successfully encouraged student participation by reaching out to students.

At present, CRNRP has three full-time students on its board, including two from the University of Minnesota.

Our annual meeting will take place Dec. 5, at which time a bylaw amendment will be offered to create an especially designated student seat.

We encourage students to make an impact on the UniversityâÄôs surrounding neighborhoods by getting involved with CRNRP.