We observed fluctuations in the Ben-Joe consumer price index (CPI) for Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach campus students during the COVID-19 pandemic. We created this index by measuring a basket of goods con..
We observed fluctuations in the Ben-Joe consumer price index (CPI) for Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach campus students during the COVID-19 pandemic. We created this index by measuring a basket of goods consumed by a typical student on campus. The Ben-Joe index was calculated using market basket method for ERAU students. These dollar values in market basket were updated every month. In this study, we compare Ben-Joe index with the nation’s CPI (Urban). The US witnessed a period of deflation following the announcement of COVID restrictions. This phenomenon was also observed on campus and consequently reflected in the Ben-Joe Index, albeit with a little lag. This deflation on campus was driven largely by a change in the price of the basic meal plan (14 meals a week) but was slightly offset by increase in housing costs. While meal plans decreased in price as a result of the cancellation of in-person classes and an evacuation of dormitories, housing prices increased because of enhanced demand created by new policies of the school. The US CPI primarily decreased due to lower energy prices as well as lower energy consumption. While both CPIs saw an overall decrease due to different material goods, the reason both decreased was due to the overall economic inactivity caused by the COVID pandemic.
