Each May, thousands of students leave the city of Tuscaloosa in droves. Inevitably, this yearly exodus has an affect on local businesses, especially those that cater to the college crowd. “We fluctuate off the students,” said Erin Childress, the assistant manager at Buffalo Phil’s on The Strip. “They are our business. This summer we’ve probably seen about a seventy percent decrease in sales.” Obviously, football season is the most profitable for just about any business in the city. Spring is a little slower, but Childress said it’s still pretty busy. “Summer I this year was actually busier than Summer II, which we expected to be opposite,” she said. One big difference between the scorching months and the school year is students taking summer classes are only required to pay for $100 worth of Dining Dollars, which can be used at various restaurants and other places around town. “There’s definitely a decrease,” Childress said. “I think students are a little more frugal in the summer.” Childress said she has spoken to other managers on The Strip, all of whom have experienced suffering in the summer as well. In contrast, the Student Recreation Center has actually seen business pick up this summer. “It’s unlike any summer I’ve ever seen,” said informal recreation coordinator and events manager Melissa Kish. Rec Center attendance is up about 4.5 percent with a 5 percent increase in students who are not enrolled this semester. While the overall hours and volume of group exercise classes have been cut over the summer, the Rec has pulled in extra business by holding athletic camps and intramural sports including basketball, softball, soccer and flag football. According to Kish, the number of community members who utilize the Rec Center hasn’t fluctuated as much. “I think their schedules are a little more set,” Kish said. “Also you get a lot of kids in the outdoor pool and swim lessons.” She said it appears that more students are taking summer classes, and paying for the use of the Rec facilities in their student fees usually motivates them to go there. She also said there are some students not enrolled who try to come and occasionally get a little upset at being unable to get in. “You’re not paying that student fee,” Kish said. “They forget it’s all bundled with tuition and everything. But we do have very good rates for the summer for those who aren’t enrolled.” One thing is for sure: every week that the beginning of fall semester nears, more students are coming back to Tuscaloosa. Business will begin picking up again in the coming weeks, and before you know it, football season will be bringing in the masses.