MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — The University of Montana is expecting freshmen enrollment to increase this year, possibly marking a turning point away from years of decline.

The Missoulian reported Tuesday that the university is seeing higher registration numbers for new student orientation and housing this year, but it won’t have a full student count until mid-September.

Enrollment in the freshman class last increased by nearly 2% in fall 2017, but it dropped by more than 9% to 1,172 students the next fall.

The university’s overall enrollment has decreased by 32% since 2011. It recorded 9,565 students, including 6,909 undergraduates, last year.

University President Seth Bodnar says overall enrollment likely won’t increase this year, but that would change if freshman classes continue to grow each year.

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Information from: Missoulian, http://www.missoulian.com

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