The opening enrollment figures were released by the university last week and show 46,308 students are registered for classes, a drop of 0.2 percent compared to spring 2006 — the first year of a decrease in spring headcount enrollments after four years of steady growth.

UH-Manoa's enrollment of 18,959 is 122 fewer students, or a drop of 0.6 percent than at a comparable date in spring 2006. UH Hilo experienced a slight increase of 18 students, or 0.6 percent jump, for a total enrollment of 3,287. UH West O'ahu's enrollment increased by 17 students, or 2.1 percent, for a total of 820.

Enrollment at the university's seven community colleges stands at 23,242, which is just three students more than last spring. Hawai'i Community College and Kapi'olani Community College posted the only increases of the seven campuses, and Kapi'olani CC experienced the largest numerical and percentage increase of all campuses with 167 more students, or 2.5 percent, for a total enrollment of 6,911.

Hawai'i CC enrollment stands at 2,130 students, an increase of 32 students or 1.5 percent compared to last spring; Honolulu CC has 3,803 students enrolled, 12 fewer than last spring or a 0.3 percent drop; Kaua'i CC has 953 students enrolled, three fewer than last spring or a 0.3 percent drop; Leeward CC enrollment stands at 5,309, a decrease of 72 students or a 1.3 percent drop compared to a year ago; Maui CC registered 2,597 students, 46 fewer students or a 1.7 percent drop; and Windward CC registered 1,539 students, 63 fewer than a year ago, or a 3.9 percent drop.