Gassing up: Students evaluate cost of commuting

Rising gas prices are costing some students who commute to the University of Cincinnati not only more money, but class attendance as well.

One reason commuters frequently live off campus is because they cannot afford the residence halls or surrounding apartments, but the ride to campus is becoming so expensive that some students cannot afford to attend class regularly.

"I admit I've skipped class a few times because my tank was empty," said Emily Gilfilen, a second-year business student. "It's 40 miles roundtrip every time I go."

Gas prices in Cincinnati have gone up dramatically within the last month. According to gasbuddy.com, the average price for a gallon on April 19 was $3.38. One month later, the average spiked to $3.83.

With the cost of gas nearing $4 per gallon, students who drive larger vehicles are considering their options.

"I drive a truck and I actually had to fill up twice this week," said Joe Ciani, a third-year middle childhood education student. "I'm looking to trade in my truck for a Toyota next year because I have to drive to UC and to a middle school to teach."

The high prices are causing many Americans to raise their voices in discontent, but other countries have been experiencing them for at least the past three years. According to CNN, France and the U.K. paid an average of $5.55 per gallon at the pump in 2005, while the people in the Netherlands were forced to pay $6.48. Now in 2008, France is paying $8.67, the U.K. is at $8.38 and the small northwestern African country of Eritrea pays $9.58.

"This summer's driving season is not likely to show its normal annual growth due to the anticipated weaker gasoline demand in the USA," as reported in OPEC's May Market Report.

Students are making lifestyle changes by cutting down on the amount of money they spend when they go out.

"If gas is any higher when we go back to school, I'm going to have to change a lot to attend class everyday," said Sarah Dahlhoff, a second-year speech pathology student. "I actually sold an old biology book that I was holding onto for future classes so that I could have gas money for the month."

The shock of rising gas prices has left little time for people to adjust, and students who run their own finances are scurrying to sketch out next year's financial plan.

"For next year, I actually looked at the loans I'm getting and increased the amount of money allotted for bills because of high gas prices," said Sam Liggett, a third-year personal and industrial relations student.

Students are adjusting not only their budgets, but also their schedules for the upcoming academic year.

"For the Fall Quarter, I scheduled classes Monday, Wednesday, Friday," Liggett said. "I'm also trying to schedule as many online classes as I can - less driving."

In addition to gasoline, commuters may also have to pay for parking. Garages are still considered quite expensive on campus, on average, $225 per quarter. Commuting students are forced to choose between paying for garage parking or taking the risk of not finding a spot on the street.

"Parking is the most ridiculous part," Liggett said. "It's almost cheaper to find somewhere else to park, especially if you're only on campus a couple days a week."

Experts at CNNMoney determined that the low prices in the U.S. as compared to Europe have allowed

Americans to buy bigger cars and bigger houses that are farther from work. Adjustmenting to rising costs may be difficult.

"In a couple weeks I'm moving out and buying a condo," Ciani said. "It's right next to the highway so I can just jump on it and avoid all those back roads."

Some students said they want to avoid using any gas at all.

"I decided to move closer to campus in the fall," Gilfilen said. "It's hard to say where the prices will be at that point."