Urban University Access and Affordability: The Implications of the Relationship between Gas Prices and Suburban Transit Ridership

Many college campuses across the country have implemented U-Pass transit programs to mitigate transportation costs for students. However, urban university U-pass programs fall short for suburban students who cannot get to the urban metro area without connecting public transportation. As urban universities rely on suburbs as feeder communities, this study looked at the relationship between suburban commuter ridership and the price of gas as an indicator of college affordability and accessibility. The findings revealed that ridership on suburban transit into an urban university area was significantly sensitive to the price of gas, thereby substantiating the need for partnerships to be developed and sustained to ensure transportation equity

Making Meaning: A Critical Literature Review of Young Adults’ Post-Katrina Volunteer Experiences

Hurricane Katrina dealt a devastating blow to the soul of America which resulted in a collective response of young adult volunteers. Understanding the experiences of these crisis volunteers can provide meaningful insight and underscore the importance of investigating human resilience, civic operations, and self-perceptions for life-long learning curricula

The Hurricane Katrina Volunteer Experience: Inclusion into the Life Narratives of Young Adults

Hurricane Katrina left in her wake one of America\u27s oldest and greatest cities in shambles. In 2011, five years after the storm, New Orleans remains in a state of recovery. Statistics reveal many disaster-related facts attributable to the storm. Life stories, however, can open the windows to the soul, inviting us to better understand the human element of this tragedy. Employing a narrative case study methodology, this study delved into the life stories of three young adults who attended to residents only three weeks after they returned to their homes. Through a series of three interviews with each participant, it explored how their education, social and cultural capital, and family lives prepared them for - and were transformed by their experiences as Hurricane Katrina relief volunteers. Engaging in life narrative method provided understanding of how the crisis volunteer experience was incorporated into the identity of these young adults and how it continues to affect their sense of agency in being active and engaged citizens. The study concludes that mandatory community service and service-learning programs that incorporate education, engagement, and critical reflection, provide foundational learning in civic engagement and foster volunteerism in young adults. The study raises critical questions regarding the role of institutional systems in ensuring equity and access for civic engagement for young adult