Alison Forney Commuter students and professors are going to being paying high gas prices should they continue to stay where they are. On Monday at the Westlake Market and Espresso the gas prices were $3.55. This is the closest gas station to the I-5 Mercer on- and off-ramps.

As a commuter student, junior Gerald Patriarca has to fill up his 2001 Honda Accord almost every three days. That means he spends a little over $100 per week on gas when he has to return to the SPU campus.

"I try to limit trips to SPU as much as possible," said Patriarca, who commutes from Renton. "I feel separated from the campus community."

Even those commuter students who are connected with the campus feel the effects of the rising gas prices in the area. Senior Angela Kelly said she only comes to campus when she must.

"I try to avoid driving on the weekends," Kelly said. She said there is a growing frustration with gas prices because commuter students have to pay for gas on top of their tuition and all the supplies associated with their classes.

"It's affecting a lot of people," Kelly said.

Senior Kim Kirk is one of those people.

"I don't come if I don't have to be here," Kirk said. The psychology major commutes from Shoreline, which usually takes her up to an hour each way. She usually spends $40 every two weeks when she fills up on gas.

"I leave when I'm done with my responsibilities," she said. "I don't want to sit in dead traffic."

Some commuter students, such as junior Chris Matsuo, see the rising gas prices as an opportunity for change.

"This could challenge people to come up with fuel alternatives," Matsuo said.

"Carbon dioxide emissions are one of our biggest problems."

Alternative transportation such as buses, however, would probably not be used more, he said. "We're Americans, we're always driving," Matsuo said.

"We've turned into a culture where driving is beyond a necessity, people will still drive," Patriarca said. "People are more into convenience than saving $3.83 per gallon."

Kelly said her various obligations require her to be at certain places at specific times.

"With work and classes, taking the bus just wouldn't work," she said.

Professor of political science Reed Davis, however, has managed to work taking the bus into his schedule. He has to leave from his home in Maple Valley at 5:45 a.m. to make it to work on time. Davis uses the free FLEX passes, compatible with both train or bus commuting, given to professors by the school.

"I'm not making any effort unless I absolutely have to be there," Davis said. "If there is a sporting event, theater, or a student event that I would otherwise go to, I'm not going."

Students like Patriarca feel the effects of costly gas in relation to attending student events.

"For the students who live on campus, it's pretty easy to get to a meeting that starts at 9:30 or 10 p.m.," Patriarca said. "But for me, with a morning class, it's not the wisest decision."

Patriarca also takes classes at Bellevue Community College for his general education requirements. If the prices get any higher, he said he might have to become a full-time student at Bellevue Community College.

"Who knows, it could hit $4.50," he said. "It's one of the hardest things about being a commuter student, and it definitely separates you from the campus."

Last Thursday, the House passed the Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act. According to the Library of Congress' Web site, this law is designed to prevent price gouging on the part of oil companies and retail operators.

The law makes it illegal for anyone to sell gasoline at a price that is "unconscionably excessive" and "indicates the seller is taking unfair advantage of the circumstances related to an energy emergency to increase prices unreasonably," according to the Web site.

Patriarca said he hopes this law will prevent gas prices from rising.

"I was looking at a receipt from October, and I realized I'm paying $20 more each time I fill up for the same distance," he said. "I try to stay engaged in SPU, but it's difficult. I look at the gas prices and I have to consider if it's really worth driving another 40 miles for a one-hour meeting."