The Griffon News

The $3 per gallon gas prices this summer caused students and professors who commute to campus to change their routines, and the recent dip in prices has not left many confident that the relief is here to stay.

It seems the opposite is true.

Western economics professor Catherine Lawson, who commutes from North Kansas City, said that she doesn’t trust that the relief will be lasting. She and her husband work on campus and have changed their commuting habits.

“My husband and I both work at Western, and before, we drove separately in case one of us had to go early or stay late for meetings,” Lawson said. “Now, we drive together whenever we can. We are also thinking of selling a car we bought recently to get a more fuel-efficient model.”

Besides faculty and staff, there are many students who commute to Western. Jessica Reynolds, a freshman from Osborn, drives 20 miles everyday to attend classes. She also works 30 miles from campus.

“Driving back and forth, I put $20 in my tank every two days, and I am barely affording it,” Reynolds said. “[The lower gas price] has made a little difference, but not really. With the money I’m spending on fuel, it would easily go towards paying rent to live here in St. Joe.”

Junior Jenn Elliott commutes three days a week from Brookfield, but hasn’t changed her driving habits.

“[Gas prices] haven’t really affected my commuting habits in any way,” Elliott said. “Lately, the lower gas prices have helped make it a little less stressful.”

Elliott said she is going to try to cater her schedule to make it as fuel efficient as possible, as is Reynolds.

The high gas prices have discouraged many commuters at Western, but short of living on campus or packing up and moving to St. Joseph, they have no choice but to deal with it. With fuel on an appreciated price decline, only time will tell for how long.