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University Daily Kansan
Thursday, December 6. 1979
Bus service seen as need for fatigued commuters
By POLLY SCOTT
Staff Renorter
In the gray pre-dawn, a sleepy KU student rushes out the door, late again, fumbles for his keys and starts an unwilling car engine. He will pick up two more equally greggy cars and the 20 next minutes; it is his day to drive the & the mates from Overland Park to Lawrence.
Carpooling. Commuting. A way of life for the 2,234 students - 10 percent of the student population—who commute more than 10 miles to their KU classes.
Most of these commuters have wondered,
"Isn't there a better way to get to school?"
And many have talked about one possible solution to their problem: a computer bus.
Differences in personal and public opinion exist at KU about University-sponsored commuter buses.
"The energy situation dictates that we should consider a commuter bus" David Amber, vice chancellor for student affairs, said recently.
However, Don Alderson, dean of student services, insisted, "The University is not in the transportation business."
But, Steve McMurry, Student Senate transportation coordinator, thought, 'Commuter bus service is one real, e-f'
fective, timely way to meet students' needs."
KU meets the needs of some nontraditional students by such programs as Easy Access, Beren Evansole, director of University Relations, said.
The Easy Access program simplifies college enrollment "for those taking an occasional course."
But what about the commuting student?
"We don't gear anything for any one population or age group," she said.
However, she explained that KU was exploring the needs of non-traditional students, and that there had been a continuous discussion about transportation.
Jerry Hutchison, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, said classes at the Regents Center met the needs of some commuters or potential commuters, but, in general, "very few provisions have been made to permit commuters or part-time student" at Lawrence.
However, he said, there is a "sensitivity and concern in central administration toward commuting students because there is so much potential there."
"I think we probably ought to provide a commuter bus," he said. "It could be done at the wave of a wand."
The frustration of students who drive up to 14 hours a week for a quality education at KU is matched by the frustration of at least one administrator.
Amiel described the traditional attitude of major colleges and universities toward the committee as a combination of 'bengish' and 'English'. He said, the past, he said, "we don't wresty about
them — we knew they could take care of themselves."
However, since the reorganization of KU's Dean of Men and Dean of Women offices, the needs of non-traditional students have grown in need at the forefront of the New Student Assistance Center.
SAC's biggest priority, Amber said, is "retention--preventing students from dropping out." Commuting students have a very high dropout rate.
"There has been minimal research on commuting students." Amber said, "and we haven't identified commuting students as to age and background."
McMurry said significant research did not need to be done before initiating a commuter bus service.
Times have changed, McMurry said, and he cited three factors that he thought should be considered when discussing commuters'
"I don't think you need to do a lot of extra research," he said. "I know the commuters are there."
transportation needs: declining enrollment, environmental factors and the price of gasoline.
Mc Murray said the Student Senate's transportation board was committed to mass transportation and recognition of students' transportation needs.
However, McMurry recognized that an increase in student fees to help finance commuter buses would meet with objections.
Ambler agreed.
"Every effort to improve our transportation system has been a real teeth-puller," he said.
He said he hoped a commuter bus could be self-supporting.
The concern about financing commuter buses was echoed by Diek Johnson, a senior executive at the Center, himself a commuter from Topeka, Kansas, who said problems were coupled with administrative hurdles.
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