The rise of gas prices has become a major crisis over the last few months, and it’s affecting college students—and universities—more than ever.
Even in Russellville, which boasts some of the lowest gas prices in the United States, according to <http://www.cnnmoney.com>. Russellville is listed as the 10th most affordable place to live in the nation. College students are feeling the pinch in their pocketbooks and dismay when driving by gas stations posting heightened prices.
The surge of gas to almost $4 a gallon has led many students to consider alternate ways of getting to school.
“I ride a bike to school because it cuts down on gas cost,” junior Stephen Herford said, who is a native of Russellville and an English education major. “I can get to school cheaper that way,” Herford said.
According to the Department of Energy’s update of gas prices on Sept. 8, the average price of gas in the U.S. is $3.64 a gallon, up 83 cents from last year. The update also showed that the West Coast, specifically California, spent the most in gas, while the East and Gulf coasts both enjoyed the lowest gas prices in the nation.
Hurricane Ike’s rampage through the South is responsible for a recent surge in gas prices of up to $4 a gallon in certain parts of town.
The rise in gas prices isn’t just affecting travel, It’s also affecting students’ lifestyles. For sophomore Jared Reano, a health and physical education major from Ozark who lives on campus, the gas prices are causing him to leave campus less often.
“I go to the cafeteria more and I don’t eat out as much,” Reano said. “I don’t really do anything as much as I used to.”
Reano's forgotten activities include going to high school football games, parties and outdoor activies such as hunting and fishing.
“I drive a truck that tops at 19-20 miles per gallon, so I don’t go home much,” sophomore Josh Thomas, a pre-med biology major from Ozark, said. “I go home maybe once a month now.”
The cramping of Tech’s style is seen even more from students living off campus.
“It’s harder for me to go places and spend money on things like movies and video games when I’m spending it on gas,” junior Ben Smith, a mechanical engineering major from Russellville said.
“It also makes it harder to attend class when it’s costing you to drive back and forth,” he added.

Students aren't the only ones concerned about the rising cost of living. Dr. Kevin Mason, head of the business and economics department at Tech, is concerned about the impact the gas prices could have on the student body. For example, higher gas prices could lead students to seek out more online classes to reduce transportation costs. Higher energy prices also affect university operations, Mason said.

Tech has taken action to lower energy expenses by raising the thermostat in campus buildings (including classrooms) across campus in an attempt to cut costs, said Mason.

Mason cited other, more serious consequences of higher living costs, such as students taking longer to graduate and less summer school attendance.

“Higher cost could lead students to take fewer classes (to keep costs down) and to allow

more time to work or maybe deciding to forgo taking summer classes in order to work full-time and thus it may take students longer to graduate.”

Mason’s concern is also that some households will miss the opportunity to earn a college education.

“Many students are at a vulnerable state and anything that increases the cost for students could create hardship.”

Faculty members are trying to help students with these costs. For example, some faculty have created their own text for classes or use more online material.

Mason also said that other solutions for Tech could include offering more web classes.

But regardless of monetary solutions, they all remain temporary. Gas prices could still reach points where it affects a broader scope than simply students, but athletics, also.

"It might affect how many football or baseball players ride to games," Mason said. "Or changing the schedule, choosing opponents that are closer to Tech to save gas mileage."

"Make no mistake, when you're putting more money in one place you're taking it from somewhere else," Mason said.

"So yeah, I see this as a serious potential problem for students."