Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Ben Chaback - Senior and Accelerated Masters Joe Sauerbrun - Senior and Accelerated Masters
Lead Presenter's Name
Benjamin E. Chaback
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Engineering
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Jayendra Gokhale
Abstract
Fluctuations were observed in the Ben-Joe consumer price index (CPI) for Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach campus students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effects of the economy recovering to the new normal are beginning to be seen. This index was created by measuring a basket of goods consumed by a typical student on campus. The Ben-Joe index was calculated using the market basket method for ERAU students. These dollar values in the market basket were updated every month. In this study, the Ben-Joe index was compared with the nation’s CPI (Urban). While the US CPI has been witnessing inflation, this has not yet been observed on the ERAU-DB campus. Two major driving factors behind this are Walmart not yet passing on inflation to the consumers and students typically not requiring skilled labor services (i.e., roofing). While it is expected to see some inflation in July 2022 entering the new fiscal year on campus as student housing prices are sticky, it is interesting to see how despite all these goods and services increasing in prices around the US, the student budget really has not felt this inflation yet. Inflation is expected following the summer semesters due to increase in housing prices (on and off campus), tuition, meal plans, parking, and eventually Walmart goods. While this can be offset by adjusting student budgets, the amount of offset needed is not yet known and is likely to remain below the percent anticipated by BLS Urban.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Ben-Joe Consumer Price Index SPR 2022
Fluctuations were observed in the Ben-Joe consumer price index (CPI) for Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach campus students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effects of the economy recovering to the new normal are beginning to be seen. This index was created by measuring a basket of goods consumed by a typical student on campus. The Ben-Joe index was calculated using the market basket method for ERAU students. These dollar values in the market basket were updated every month. In this study, the Ben-Joe index was compared with the nation’s CPI (Urban). While the US CPI has been witnessing inflation, this has not yet been observed on the ERAU-DB campus. Two major driving factors behind this are Walmart not yet passing on inflation to the consumers and students typically not requiring skilled labor services (i.e., roofing). While it is expected to see some inflation in July 2022 entering the new fiscal year on campus as student housing prices are sticky, it is interesting to see how despite all these goods and services increasing in prices around the US, the student budget really has not felt this inflation yet. Inflation is expected following the summer semesters due to increase in housing prices (on and off campus), tuition, meal plans, parking, and eventually Walmart goods. While this can be offset by adjusting student budgets, the amount of offset needed is not yet known and is likely to remain below the percent anticipated by BLS Urban.