WWU impact, by the numbers

Mary Ann Hendryson, professor of economics

Hendryson has taught at Western's College of Business and Economics since June 1989. She is technically a 9/10 time employee, she said. Hendryson said she originally came to Bellingham because Western had an open position teaching Canadian economics. She is single, has no children, owns a house in Bellingham and keeps a cat. She said she does most of her shopping in Bellingham.

• Salary: $35,883
• After taxes and retirement fund: $24,000
• Property Taxes: $1600 per year
• Water and Sewer: $42 per month
• Electricity: $57 per month
• Gas: $12 to $90 per month, depending on the weather
• Phone: $56 per month
• Local phone and taxes: $25 per month
• Cable: $25 per month
• Six percent - $9 to $14 - of her electricity, gas, phone and cable costs return to Bellingham by way of the city's general fund.

William Byrd, on-campus student

Byrd is in his third year at Western. He said he spends approximately $870 in Bellingham per month.

• Room and Board: $665 per month
• Groceries: $75 per month
• Gas: $10 per month
• Miscellaneous: $20 per month (Miscellaneous covers meals out, renting videos, etc.)

Michele Elledge, off-campus student

Elledge, a junior at Western Washington University, lives off-campus and is originally from eastern Washington. She transferred from Whatcom Community College with her associate of arts degree this fall.

• Rent: $250 per month (includes water and sewer, gas, electricity, garbage and recycling)
• Phone: an average $25 per month
• Groceries: $50-100 per month
• Gas: approximately $35 per month
• Personal Items: less than $50 per month (includes movies, meals out, clothing, music, books)