2008 Woodie Awards
Students on empty:
Gas prices are hitting hard
Beth Voigt
Issue date: 6/19/08 Section: News
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Since most students can't just go out and buy a new vehicle, no matter how fuel-efficient, Parkland students are figuring out how to economize in other ways.
Some are rearranging their fall schedules so that they only have to drive to campus a few days a week. Some are planning their schedules with friends, so they can share notes and a ride. And others are simply reconsidering which or how many classes they will be taking…especially over the summer.
"It's made me ride my bike a lot more," said student Dayna Long, who lives in St. Joseph. "I don't go into town very much any more…just for work and that's it. [Driving to Parkland] has been really painful as far as gas goes."
Changes in students' habits are reflected throughout the nation. A recent survey by staffing services company Robert Half International Inc. found that 44% of respondents have felt the effects of rising gas prices in how they get to work or organize their work schedule.
Although a majority admitted that they have not changed their ways, the survey noted that the most common changes include ride-sharing, driving a more fuel-efficient car, working from home and looking for a job closer to home.
According to a recent poll on illinoisgasprices.com, 42% of respondents said that the high price of gasoline affected their plans for the Memorial Day holiday. In a different poll on that site, 75% said that they were planning to do less driving over the summer due to gas prices.
"Americans should take more responsibility for the amount of energy they use and ante up," said English professor Amber Landis. "Hopefully it will make people think a lot more about how much they drive and what kind of cars they have."
The Environmental Defense Fund notes that reducing your driving by just 20 miles each week could save $100 in gas and cut the pollution that causes global warming by 1,200 pounds in a year. A recent New York Times article also reported that mass transit ridership is up anywhere from 5-15% across the country.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Briana
posted 6/21/08 @ 5:54 PM CST
I loved this article. I used to be able to see my folks, an hour away, every weekend now, I'm lucky to see them once a month. It's really put a strain on my way of life. (Continued…)
Beth
posted 6/24/08 @ 1:04 AM CST
I don't have a bike, but I really want a cool cruiser with fenders and a rack on the back! I'm selling my Cherokee when I move to Chicago, so I'll have to get used to taking the El and the bus and cabs. (Continued…)
Aaron
posted 6/26/08 @ 5:50 PM CST
Yeah, my g/f and I just went to Wisconsin two weeks ago, and Arkansas one week ago. We now each have only one kidney, and we've donated enough plasma to make 200 bottles of shampoo. (Continued…)
bvoigt
Beth
posted 7/09/08 @ 3:05 PM CST
Anybody wanna buy my car? For reals...I'm moving to Chicago.
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