Monday was the first day for students at Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave.

The campus was already busy Monday afternoon with students working in the computer labs and classrooms.

BRCC President Dr. John Downey says they're continuing to see increased enrollment, and they're up about seven to ten percent this year.

Downey says they're seeing the head count reach about 5,000 students, which is a first for the college.

He says, with this growth the campus is tight right now, but they usually have a good plan for accommodating that increase.

Downey thinks the opening of the Advanced Technology Center this January will be a big help.

"That will free up some space in other parts of the campus to convert to classrooms and things, so we continue to be just ahead of the enrollment growth we've been experiencing for a number of years now," says Downey.

He says he doesn't see this growth at BRCC end anytime in the immediate future, but he says he does hope it levels off some so growth isn't so dramatic.