 "Photo: Kerry Lentz")
Texas Tech students fretting about fuel costs and looking to dump their gas-guzzlers still have time to receive relief from a university program.
Tech's Outdoor Pursuits Center kicked off a program Aug. 1 that gives students who cannot immediately afford a bicycle the opportunity to receive a $500 interest-free one year loan to purchase one, said Jordan Messerer, assistant director of the Outdoor Pursuits Center.
Students can apply for the loan at the Tech Federal Credit Union, which can then be used at any bicycle shop in Lubbock.
The credit union plans to issue approximately 100 loans by the end of the year, said Whitney Paschall, marketing coordinator of the Credit Union.
"So far, we've had eight (students) that have applied for a loan," she said. "All of them have been approved."
Messerer said he expects high gas prices and easier access to bikes to contribute to a significant increase in cyclists on campus this year.
In addition to the fuel saving benefits, this program will provide students with an opportunity to start building their credit report, Paschall said. Many students have not established a good line of credit by the time they graduate college, and this program will help them begin that process.
"This is a lot of students' first time to ever take out a loan," she said. "I think it's a really good experience for them."
The Outdoor Pursuits Center is going to promote the loan program as much as possible, said Curt Howell, coordinator of the center. Brochures and posters will be distributed in local bicycle shops as well as numerous places around campus.
"All the bike shops in town are ready, the brochures are done, and we have posters that are completed," he said. "Everything is in order and ready to go."
The Pursuits Center will have a booth to provide information about the program and how to receive the loan from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday in the Robert H. Ewalt Student Recreation Center.
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