Gas prices force students to drop out of community colleges

DURHAM — Several students at Durham Technical Community College have told officials they had to drop out of summer school because gas prices made their commute too expensive.

The Herald-Sun of Durham reported Friday that some colleges have pushed students to alter their schedules so they come to campus fewer times a week. Others schools suggest students take online classes.

Gaston College in Gastonia is studying how to expand bus service and make it more convenient for students. A spokeswoman at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte says the school is studying a model where employees would work four 10-hour days, to eliminate one day’s commute.

—
Information from: The Herald-Sun, http://www.herald-sun.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)