First-semester students Cadence Keys, left, Brooke Moran and Chloe DeSantis, all of Butler, spend a little time in the BC3 library Monday morning. As of Aug. 20 enrollment at BC3 was at 2,145. Enrollment at BC3 is down by about 11% compared to last year.Harold Aughton/butler eagle

Butler County Community College was teeming with life Monday as students returned for the first day of the fall 2021 semester, but enrollment at the school has dropped by more than 10%.

Case Willoughby, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, said about 80% of classes are in person this year, so the campus looks much more lively than last year, when less than 40% of classes were in person.

“We did orientation last Friday and the students were so happy to be there in person,” he said. “Even with masks on, you can tell they're excited by their eyes.”

But while the campus contains more students than last year, student enrollment at BC3 is down this year by about 11%. According to an email from executive director of communications and marketing Jessica Matonak, there are 2,145 students enrolled as of now.

Willoughby said that while college enrollment is down nationwide, several other variables have affected potential BC3 students, including the coronavirus. The trend could also be seen last year.

“Last year, COVID hit us mostly with new students,” Willoughby said. “For a lot of people, a concern for safety might impact their decision to go to college.”

Besides safety concerns and some students not wanting to take classes online, Willoughby said the shrinking size of high school classes has also affected BC3.

Additionally, some students may have taken last year off because of COVID-19, making the transition back to school more difficult.

“There are a lot of students who take a gap year and then never get around to going to college,” Willoughby said.

The college has three more start dates for sessions before the end of the year, beginning Sept. 20, Sept. 27 and Nov. 1. Willoughby said enrollment projections for these dates are difficult because of different variables, but each will bring in some more students.

Willoughby also said projecting enrollment for the next few years is difficult for the same reasons. However, he predicted the numbers might increase some once COVID-19 completely levels out.

“COVID has hit us twice with how our semesters proceed,” Willoughby said. “I think that part might turn around as we get through COVID.”