Gas stations have lowered their gasoline prices since last weekend, when prices spiked from fears that Hurricane Ike would damage oil rigs in the Gulf Coast, but students like Daniel Wakin, a freshman in business, said filling up gas tanks is still difficult.

“When I give people rides I usually make people give me gas money,” he said. “I only drive if I have to.”

Wakin’s 2000 Jeep gets decent gas mileage, he said, but he is still amazed when he sees his bank account after buying gas.

“I just have to work more in the summer,” he said.

North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper issued subpoenas to seven gas stations in the state for alleged price gouging, in which stations were charging at least $5.49 per gallon, according to the Department of Justice Web site.

The Crown gas station on Western Boulevard across from main campus was charging $3.99 for regular gasoline Monday night.

Alexandra Embry, a junior in management, said public transportation has allowed her to purchase less gas this year, as she lives in the Chi Omega house.

“Luckily, there is a bus stop right outside where I live,” she said.

Her gas costs have decreased since over the summer, when she had to drive more.

“Since coming back to school, I haven’t been spending as much and filling up my gas tank because of the buses,” she said.

Dave Gragnolati, a junior in mechanical engineering, said increased prices over last weekend added about $10 to his normal tank.

His Ford Taurus takes $42 to fill up, but in his last trip to the gas station, it was $53.

“I’m definitely being more conscious about driving, and that’s been since gas prices have been at $3,” he said.

Higher prices also changed his driving habits, Gragnolati said.

“Now with the big increase, everyone’s definitely talking about carpooling,” he said. “I almost didn’t go to the beach this weekend because of the cost of gas.”

Most trips Gragnolati said he would normally take are now out of the question.

“I don’t plan on visiting all my friends at different schools,” he said.

Embry said gas prices have also affected her ability to go off campus.

“I’m not able to go visit a lot of my friends who go to school at Duke and [UNC-Chapel Hill] as much because I can’t afford it,” she said.

With more money spent on gas, there is also less money to spend on “fun,” he said, like nights out.