Share a ride to campus

Ashley Tobar

The Signal Staff

This fall, the University of Houston-Clear Lake arranged a new program for students called “Rideshare.” Dean of Students Anthony Jenkins summarized this program as a way to better assist UHCL students who come across transportation difficulties in getting to and from campus, as well as to and from the medical center.

The new program was introduced to UHCL at the new student orientation this fall. E-mails were sent to all students informing them of the service. In a nutshell, Rideshare is similar to a “Craigslist for carpoolers.”

Students who are in need of rides can find information on Rideshare under the students tab on the UHCL Web site. There, students may post a listing for a “ride request” by including their contact information and home location in order to network with others who may be located near them.

Students who would like to donate rides or carpool with others may also post listings on the site informing other students of their offer. Students who are interested are encouraged to view the listings every two to three days in order to see the most up-to-date listings for offers and requests.

Listings of any kind are set to expire 30 days after each post, and students will need a valid UHCL login to view or post any listings.

“The program was designed to address the needs of our students,” Jenkins said. “That is what my office does so well. Through assessment efforts, we identify gaps in student needs and we address them.”

Although the goal of Rideshare is to help students with transportation issues, the university also hopes the program will generate more networking among students. Students are encouraged to use the free service whenever possible as a benefit to the environment as well as the assistance of mass transit.

An initial concern to students may be the hesitation of riding with strangers. Students are always advised to proceed with caution; however, the university has confidence that a program enacted solely to benefit students will see positive results.

“I have been unable to use the system because I believe that none of the students that live in my immediate area know about the service,” said Marcelina Washington, psychology and sociology major.  This is really sad since we are faced with the dilemma of economic sanctions. I also believe that students are unable to get in the car with strangers because we’re innately influenced by caution or our parent words of ‘don’t talk to strangers.’ I would love to see this program work with a little more help from the Student Services Center.”

Washington is one of the many students who hope to get some real use out of the new program. She has listed herself on the postings but has yet to find anyone near her area with whom to ride. The best way to use the service is to post often and check in often in order to get the most opportunities in which to carpool.

To find out more about Rideshare, call the Office of the Dean of Student’s at 281-283-2567 or email RideShare@uhcl.edu.