While prices at the pump remain high, several CSUN students who commute from various cities in southern California find managing expenses troublesome.
Arsineh Eskandari, junior psychology major, enrolls in classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays to save gas. Eskandari commutes from La Crescenta.
“Gas prices are ridiculous,” she said. “I’m a college student and I’m broke.”
Shirley Svorny, economics professor, teaches her students the importance of understanding what determines prices.
“Prices are determined by people’s willingness to supply stuff and what other people buy,” Svorny said. “Students spend more on gasoline and less on other stuff.”
Since high gas prices limit a student’s spending, many students use other alternatives to driving alone.
“It’s about supply and demand,” Svorny said. “Students probably carpool and don’t drive too much.”
Eskandari is one of those students. She carpools as often as she can to limit her spending on gas.
“I try to compromise,” she said. “I carpool with friends.”
Like many students, Eskandari’s parents pay for all her financial needs because working and going to school is difficult to manage.
“Doesn’t everybody’s parents pay for gas?” said Justin Siglamassi, junior biology major who commutes from Woodland Hills.
Other students use public transportation as an option.
Richard Diaz, freshmen business major, takes the Orange line.
“It’s brand new and fast,” he said. “I get here in half an hour.”
Diaz commutes from Arleta and his goal is to stay away from road rage and stress.
“It’s only $3 to get a day pass,” he said.
Chris Ramirez, graduate student at CSUN, commutes from Fillmore.
“I try not to drive as much,” he said.
Ramirez saves money and uses his financial aid to help pay for his gas.
Students rely on their cars to get from one place to another, Svorny said.
“The gasoline market differs?it’s hard to do without gas. Gasoline in a shortage of time is hard to substitute, but over time people will consider fuel-efficient cars,” Svorny said.
Svorny teaches her classes that incentives affect behavior.
As a mother, Svorny financially supports her daughter. The advice she gives her daughter is to think about the price of gas before she goes out.
Svorny said she acknowledges the fact that commuting is an issue for most people.
“I know everyone complains, but they shouldn’t be surprised when they see $3.53,” she said. “Prices give signals. If prices are rising it’s a green light for suppliers to get on the stick and make money.”
According to an automotive Web site, the lowest price for regular gasoline can be found at 76 on 8658 Balboa Blvd. for $3.22. The lowest price for plus gas is at Chevron on 17011 Devonshire St. for $3.32 and the lowest price for premium gas is at Chevron on 8900 Corbin Ave. for $3.22.
“I pump gas in Northridge because it’s cheaper than La Crescenta,” Eskandari said. “Even if I can save a little bit then it matters.”
