2008 Woodie Awards
IUPUI mindful of student budgets, provides free transportation
Nick Dieren
Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: College News
- Page 1 of 1
Andy Clem lives in Lebanon, Ind., off a gravel road in the midst of farmland. He goes to school in Indianapolis.
"Gas prices tend to affect you when it takes 20 minutes to get anywhere and 45 minutes to get to school," says Clem, a creative writing major.
Clem has planned his schedule so he only attends classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He also carpools with his sister, a freshman at IUPUI, to save them both money.
Clem is one of many IUPUI students whose budget has been affected by the ever-increasing gas prices. The university also is struggling to keep budgets in check as fuel prices fluctuate.
"Anytime fuel prices rise, it costs the department more," says Carol Pferrer, director of IUPUI Parking and Transportation Services.
For example, events like last winter's heavy snowstorms, which occasionally shut the campus down, cost more than usual because of increased fuel costs.
What is the University doing to save money? Many departments have been taking steps in conserving fuel and also being environmentally-conscious.
For example, Parking Services has been using new technology, such as an electric hybrid jumpstart vehicle, to cut costs. Also, all of the diesel buses and trucks are using B20 fuel.
B20 is a mix of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel. This mix is just as efficient as regular diesel fuel, and contributes less to airborne sulfur dioxide emissions.
The university helps financially-strapped students, too. IUPUI provides free transportation around campus with shuttles. Once students have funded their journey to campus, most of the buildings are located within walking distance.
Recently, students have been able to travel farther than the campus of IUPUI for free.
"Student initiatives such as the new IndyGo partnership will help students when looking at their budgets," says Pferrer.
This year, IUPUI Parking and Transportation Services partnered with IndyGo to provide free passes for students.
"We encourage those students wanting to car pool to only purchase one permit so that will also save them money in the long run."
"Gas prices tend to affect you when it takes 20 minutes to get anywhere and 45 minutes to get to school," says Clem, a creative writing major.
Clem has planned his schedule so he only attends classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He also carpools with his sister, a freshman at IUPUI, to save them both money.
Clem is one of many IUPUI students whose budget has been affected by the ever-increasing gas prices. The university also is struggling to keep budgets in check as fuel prices fluctuate.
"Anytime fuel prices rise, it costs the department more," says Carol Pferrer, director of IUPUI Parking and Transportation Services.
For example, events like last winter's heavy snowstorms, which occasionally shut the campus down, cost more than usual because of increased fuel costs.
What is the University doing to save money? Many departments have been taking steps in conserving fuel and also being environmentally-conscious.
For example, Parking Services has been using new technology, such as an electric hybrid jumpstart vehicle, to cut costs. Also, all of the diesel buses and trucks are using B20 fuel.
B20 is a mix of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel. This mix is just as efficient as regular diesel fuel, and contributes less to airborne sulfur dioxide emissions.
The university helps financially-strapped students, too. IUPUI provides free transportation around campus with shuttles. Once students have funded their journey to campus, most of the buildings are located within walking distance.
Recently, students have been able to travel farther than the campus of IUPUI for free.
"Student initiatives such as the new IndyGo partnership will help students when looking at their budgets," says Pferrer.
This year, IUPUI Parking and Transportation Services partnered with IndyGo to provide free passes for students.
"We encourage those students wanting to car pool to only purchase one permit so that will also save them money in the long run."
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