With gas prices skyrocketing as a result of Russia's invasion of the Ukraine, those who live and work in rural communities across the United States are feeling the economic reality at the gas pumps.
Students, staff, faculty and administrators at Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) are among those severely impacted.
Lori Ann Sherman, president of Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College.
In an effort to stem the booming costs, President Biden released one million barrels of gas from the U.S. reserve, with plans to release more over the next six months. As the war in Ukraine shows no sign of slowing, and sanctions on Russian oil and gas imports keep the prices hovering above $4 a gallon on average, many TCUs are making plans to accommodate the steeper expenses well into the summer and beyond.
At KBOCC, Sherman said it’s not uncommon for students, faculty and staff to drive over 20 miles to reach their campus in L’Anse.
“We have one taxi, and there’s no public transport, no buses,” said Sherman. “What I’ve done for staff and faculty is offered a rideshare program that we just started last week. But that still makes it hard. I live about 25 miles from campus, and no one lives around me.”
Students at KBOCC who are tribal members of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, have a discount card they can use at gas stations on the reservation, which allows them 16 cents off per gallon. But because of the rural nature of the area and the harsh winters in Michigan, many cars are pick-up trucks or SUVs.
