BUTLER TWP — Record enrollment at Butler County Community College has officials concerned that they may have to change the open enrollment policy that has ensured a spot at the two-year school for any high school graduate in the county.

Enrollment across all of the campuses of BC3 is now at 3,900, a 17 percent increase from last year. School President Nick Neupauer said Wednesday that he anticipates enrollment will grow to 4,400 by the end of the fall semester.

Neupauer said the college has estimated maximum student capacity at 4,500.

That is why Neupauer said the college has begun to consider a change in its open enrollment policy. Currently, any student with a high school diploma can enroll. A new policy might set criteria for enrollment.

Neupauer said the college isn't considering such a change immediately, but is taking a look at future enrollments to "see where we are at."

"Right now it's a concept," he said.

A change in the enrollment policy would require the approval of the trustees, he said.

Neupauer said the greatest pace of growth has come from out-of-county residents, mostly at satellite campuses in Mercer and Lawrence counties. The school also has a campus in Cranberry Township.

He said BC3 reported the highest rate of growth at a recent meeting of state community colleges in Montgomery County. Other colleges are growing, he said, but not all that growth is because of a poor job market that is sending workers back to school.

The growth at BC3 is attributed to the college's regional philosophy, involvement in the community, and quality of education, he said.

"We have the whole northwest territory," Neupauer said of the region from which the college draws its students.

"There is no other community college in the state that has the growth that this community college does," he said.

Board president Ray Steffler said the transfer program has been a big draw to high school graduates who are looking to save money by going to BC3 for two years before moving on to a four-year school.

Jim Hrabosky, vice president for finance and operations, said the college budgeted for a 3 to 4 percent growth in credits. Because of the growth, the college has already met 50 percent of it's budgeted revenue for tuition with the remainder of the fall as well as the spring and summer semesters to go. Fall classes begin Monday.

To meet the added demand, the college has found new rooms that can be used as classrooms and is working on ways to process the extra paperwork and student services.