While saving energy has become a hot topic recently among college students concerned with global warming, high gas prices and protecting the environment, a new University sanctioned carpool service can address all of the above - and even help with parking.
Faculty, staff and students can post carpool listings or respond to posts from other commuters by using part of Spectrum, The University's new online system. Spectrum allows interested people to post which U of M campus they are going to and from where. Participants post the days and times they wish to carpool, contact information, whether they are drivers, passengers or both and any comments for would-be carpoolers.
In fall 2006, nearly 90 percent of the 20,562 students enrolled at The U of M commuted to campus, said Heather Hampton, administrative secretary of University of Memphis' Adult and Commuter Services.
"We have a good amount (of students) who ask about car pooling," she said. The system "provides a way for students to connect."
Hampton, who graduated from The U of M in spring 2005, carpooled nearly 25 miles from Hickory Hill for two years as a student and said this program would have been helpful to her.
Hampton also said the carpooling posts fit in with President Raines' push for energy conservation and that "ridiculously high" gas prices make carpooling more relevant to students than it normally would.
The average cost for a regular gallon of gas is $2.74 currently, up from $2.47 in September 2006, according to the American Automobile Association's Daily Fuel Gauge Report. In Tennessee, the average for a gallon of regular gas is $2.60, and in Memphis, it's $2.56.
Although the cost of gas is cheaper here, students still see gas prices as the biggest reason to carpool.
Sheila Webster, junior elementary education major, said carpooling is "a very effective way of saving money and protecting the environment."
She said she carpools as often as possible and, although she is familiar with the listings on Spectrum, she has not posted. She said she would be worried about carpooling with strangers.
But, according to Hampton, the Spectrum system is much safer than looking for carpool partners elsewhere.
"It's definitely safer," she said. "Only students, faculty and staff have access to Spectrum."
Friends Erica Lee, junior biology major, and Angie Richmond, junior history major, have a system of commuting to campus.
"We carpool everyday," Lee said.
Lee drives Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while Richmond drives Tuesdays and Thursdays, Lee said.
But, gas prices aren't the only reason the two carpool. Richmond said the lack of parking spaces on campus also factored into their decision.
"Instead of talking about building a new football stadium, they need to be building a place for us to park," she said.
