Students trying to beat high gas prices while traveling home this semester have an alternative option.

Ride Swap, a program developed by the Center for Student Involvement, allows students to locate and post rides on the Undergraduate Student Senate’s FlashSwap Web site, USS executive director Ross Miltner said.

Students can go online to FlashSwap.com and enter their names and the location to which they are traveling. Then, students can pair up with someone going in the same direction or who may need a ride, Miltner said.

The idea seemed to appeal to both upper and underclassmen.

“As a freshman, I found I was going home a lot and would have liked to know students from Kent traveling in the same direction,” said Jennifer Angell, senior early childhood education major. “It gives students a way not only to connect to other students on campus but maybe get to know some people from their hometowns.”

Freshman pre-med major Alex Lizarribar agreed that Ride Swap would allow for meeting new people.

“It will be a great way to get to know each other,” Lizarribar said. “Being in a car, it kind of forces you to get to know each other.”

Ride Swap was originally proposed by the Center for Student Involvement, but Miltner said it was followed through by USS. He said similar programs have worked at other schools.

Dean of Students Greg Jarvie said he was optimistic about the program’s benefits for Kent State.

“This is a wonderful program; it is convenient for students,” Jarvie said. “It is an opportunity for students outside of the northeast region of Ohio; if they need a ride, there’s an opportunity for them.”

With rising gas prices, Ride Swap gives students a chance to save money on gas through carpool.

“With today’s gas prices for the student community from Cleveland to Ravenna, they can share a ride,” Jarvie said. “Big bucks are going into the car on gas.”

Freshman pre-med major Alicia Williams also liked the idea of student carpooling.

“If the person is from your hometown, you are more than likely going to know them,” Williams said. “But also if its on the way to your hometown, I can’t see why giving someone a ride would be a problem.”

Contact student affairs reporter Caroline Lautenbacher at [email protected].