BUTLER TWP — Continued explosive growth in enrollment at Butler County Community College has caused the college to change course.

The school, which has about 4,000 students, saw a 17 percent increase in enrollment during the fall. That was the largest percentage increase of any of the 14 community colleges in the state.

And, now BC3 is reporting that it has a 20.5 percent increase in spring enrollment over this date last year.

"We're filled to capacity," said President Nick Neupauer.

Because of that, BC3 has changed its designs for some empty space.

When the college opened the new Student Success Center in the fall, offices from the student services building, "Building D," moved into that new building. That left empty offices and rooms that the college planned to fill with administrative offices and the children's school.

But after examining the college's enrollment growth, that plan changed, Neupauer said.

Now, the college will turn that space into six or seven classrooms, conference space and large group instruction areas.

The college has asked for bids, which are expected to be opened just before the Christmas break this month.

Work could begin next semester.

The college has cited many factors for its extreme growth, including the poor economy. Other factors the administration has noted include the college's regional philosophy, involvement in the community, and the quality of education at BC3.

The spring enrollment numbers, which compare enrollment data from last December to now, show the number of full-time students is up 35 percent and the number of credits sold is up 26 percent, Neupauer reported Wednesday at a board of trustees meeting.

When budgeting for the current school year, the college planned a 3 percent growth in enrollment.

However, Neupauer said all those extra tuition dollars won't be going straight to the college's bottom line.

"With the rate that we're growing, we have to add positions," he said. He also said the college will need to spend money on capital projects.