Cars, bicycles and even longboards are just a few of the modes of transportation used by those commuting to Emporia State’s main campus.
“Since it would take me an hour or so to walk, I ride bikes,” said Logan Ranger, sophomore undecided major.
Isaiah Shaver, freshman business marketing major said it’s convenient to drive his car because he can get to school quicker.
“What is inconvenient is trying to find a place to park,” Shaver said.
There are different places on campus to park, with a total of this many spaces, etc.
For students living on campus with less of a way to go, biking, walking and longboarding are popular options.
“I have my car here but…I don’t really go a lot of places,” said Zach VanDorn, sophomore art therapy major. “In town, it is pretty easy to just get around on the longboard, so I try to stick to that. It’s cheaper, too.”
While a large number of students live on campus, others live at home and some even commute over an hour to attend classes.
“I go to Emporia from Paola which is a little over an hour (on) Monday, Wednesday and Friday,” said Mercedes Gallagher, sophomore rehabilitation services major.
Just as there are a variety of different modes of transportation, there are also a variety of reasons for them. Some, like Ranger, use manpower to cut down on expenses. He also said it helps him cut down on expenses.
“Being a student is hard as it is – money-wise,” Ranger said. “It gets you exercise so you don’t gain your freshman 15 or sophomore 70.”
Others simply prefer to arrive on time without having to worry about exercise or an unkept appearance.
“I tried to ride my bike, but it is kind of a long ride, and I don’t like to show up to my classes dirty,” said Shaver.
Some have no choice but to use just one mode of transportation.
“(I don’t like commuting), but sometimes life happens and we have to do things we don’t enjoy,” Gallagher said.
Many students use their means of transportation for fun as much as for getting to class on time.
“As much as I can, I like to get out and ride around to so I don’t necessarily have to be going somewhere but just going around on it,” VanDorn said.
