Tuition is going up, parking passes, as well as gas prices, have gone up, too. With this trend in place, students need to conserve gas because they cannot make it themselves.
“All students can do is try to do as much as they can to conserve gas,” Michael Babcock, professor of economics, said.
Gas has never been so expensive, and students should be aware of how to cope with the high prices, Babcock said.
Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., said he is not too worried about the gas prices and is very confident in the American economy.
“Although rising gas and energy prices and one of the worst natural disasters in American history have tested the resilience of our economy, America’s economy continues to expand,” Brownback said.
Manhattan’s average price of gas per gallon is $2.89, according to wwww.kansasgasprices.com.
Many have different views on whether gas prices will increase or decrease this summer.
Jerry Fenske, owner of BP, 1701 Anderson Ave. said he doesn’t see gas prices increasing too much because they are already high.
“I am expecting the gas prices to go up to anywhere from $3 to $3.50, this summer,” Lance Bachmeier, professor of economics, said.
Bachmeier said there is a lot of debate on gas prices lately, but he thinks businesses like Wal-Mart and Target will suffer the most.
He also said people are spending more money on gas than they ever have before, therefore they are spending less money on everyday household items at retail stores, because they are not necessary.
Professors in economy give their advice to students on what they should do to conserve gas.
“Students should get rid of all non-essential driving,” Babcock said.
Babcock also said students might want to reconsider trips this summer that are far in distance.
“Plane tickets are going up just as much as automobile gas is going up,” Babcock said.
Students are also trying to find ways to conserve gas by walking, parking and purchasing bicycles.
“I walk and I bought a bike,” Dominick James, junior in kinesiology, said. “It takes me $50 to fill my tank up.”
Most students that live in the dorms park their car on campus and ride with eachother when they need to go off campus.
“I save gas by leaving my car in the residence parking lot,” said Miles Mentzer, sophomore in agricultural business.