Rising Gas Prices Raise Concerns of University Officials

University officials discuss the effects on campus faculty and prospective students






College students across the country are clinging a little tighter to their wallets in the midst of rising gas prices, but they aren't the only ones being affected.

"I think students often forget that this University functions as a business," said University of Mississippi Dean of Students Sparky Reardon. "We have bills to pay and paychecks to write. The recent rise in gas prices may not have impacted us just yet, but it hasn't escaped our attention."

One of the primary concerns for Reardon is the effect rising gas prices could have on commuting faculty and staff.

"A lot of our students forget that not all of the University's staff live in the Oxford area. When you consider how expensive it can be to buy or rent a house in this area, it makes sense to hear that many of our faculty choose to live outside of the area and commute on a daily basis. They're just as upset about spending that extra buck at the pump as anyone else."

Reardon said that efforts have been made to make commuting to campus via alternative methods easier, such as encouraging the use of bicycles and the O.U.T. bus.

While Reardon focuses on current University residents, Associate Director of Enrollment Services Jody Lowe is more concerned with individuals who haven't even turned their high school tassel.

"The rising gas prices are a significant concern for the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services. Thinking about the number of students who are coming from all across the country to visit Ole Miss, it's very frightening to think about how their decision to visit campus or enroll might be affected by the rise in gas prices."

Lowe said the prices at the pump are causing prospective students and their families to examine their budgets and make decisions about where their money goes.

"It's something every American is having to do. More money is having to be spent at the pump, so less is able to be spent elsewhere," said Lowe.

Concerned with prospective families sacrificing a campus visit because of gas prices, Lowe says he has had to reevaluate the way Ole Miss reaches out to out-of-state students.

"If a student cannot afford to come visit Ole Miss because of the gas prices, that only means we have to work harder to reach out to them. That means more letters, more phone calls, more effort. If you can't come to Ole Miss, we will come to you," said Lowe.

Both Reardon and Lowe said that they felt the University would not encounter any major effects from the recent rise in gas prices, but that is has made them realize the need to prepare for a day when it might.