-Ron Ford
As if college wasn’t challenging enough, the act of simply getting to class each day presents its own set of hurdles.
SFCC has zero on-campus residences, so students are required to find a way to get to school and back home again. There are many options available, each with its own set of challenges.
Bicycling and walking are great forms of exercise and are a nearly cost-free commuting alternative for some.
“I have no need for a gas budget,” said Kat Benson, a SFCC student. “Also, I don’t have to pay for a car.”
Many bike racks are located around campus. However, walking and biking may not be practical for everyone, and they are prohibitive in the icy winter months.
Public transportation is another solution for SFCC and SCC students who live on or near bus routes. Colleges are taking notice of this reality. According to US PIRG, a consumer advocacy group, 104 colleges across the country participate in programs offering free or discount bus passes to students.
SFCC is no different. An adult fare for Spokane buses is normally $1.50 for a two-hour pass. However, enrolled students at SFCC who are earning credits qualify for a free bus pass that is good any time of day for the entire academic quarter.
“It’s the best thing ever,” said David Brown, a student. “It saves me $60 a quarter that I can spend on books.”
The idea seems to be catching on. An STA press release earlier this year reported that, in January, more than 3,000 SCC and SFCC students received their free passes and rode the bus nearly 90,000 times. That is 45 percent more than in January, 2013.
“It’s very convenient,” Thedy Davies, a first-year SFCC student, said.
The passes are part of a two-year federal grant administered by the Spokane Transit Authority. They are available upon request from the campus cashier’s office.
For those who like the convenience of driving their own vehicle to school, the issue of parking takes center stage. Campus parking is often a competitive crapshoot as students battle for a finite number of spaces.
“I am surprised at how full the parking lot I usually park at is this year,” Lathan Ostlie, an SFCC student, said. “It didn’t used to be as full.”
Parking rules are also strictly enforced. According to the posted parking policy, vehicles parked without a pass will be ticketed $30. All parking citations must be paid before the quarter ends or you will not be able to register for the next quarter and your transcripts will be withheld, according to the SFCC website.
Parking passes are available for $3 a day from electronic kiosks in most campus parking areas. However, a parking pass that lasts all quarter can be obtained from the campus cashier for $24 – the equivalent cost of parking for only eight days. An annual pass goes for $79.89.
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Find the cheapest gas in town for your commute.
Spokane Transit Authority, routes and schedules. http://www.spokanetransit.com/routes-schedules
The best walking shoes for 2014. http://www.the-fitness-walking-guide.com/best-walking-shoes.html
Calculate the reduction in your carbon footprint if you commute by bike: