BANGOR (AP) — Fall enrollment at Maine’s universities and community colleges is expected to be about the same as last fall.

Classes begin Tuesday at the state’s seven universities and two of the community colleges. Classes at the other five community colleges began last Monday.

University of Maine System officials expect about 31,000 students this fall, although the number of first-year and transfer students is projected to grow. About 18,500 students are expected at the community colleges.

Rosa Redonnet, the university system’s chief student affairs officer, credits the growth in new students to an ongoing initiative — system-wide and at individual campuses — to attract and retain students.

“We saw an increase last year and we’re seeing the same thing this year,” she said. “It’s not big, but overall it’s about 1.7 to 1.8 percent.”

Enrollment at Maine’s seven community colleges is also projected to be about the same as last fall, said Maine Community College System spokeswoman Helen Pelletier.

There will be several new programs offered at various locations within the system this fall, Pelletier said.

Kennebec Valley Community College is holding classes for the first time at its 600-acre Harold Alfond Campus at the former Good Will-Hinckley School in Fairfield. There, students can take part in agriculture-oriented programs and work on a 120-acre farm while earning an associate degree in sustainable agriculture.

York County Community College is starting a new precision machining technology program in Sanford, and a new veterinary technology program at its campus in Wells.

In Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is offering a new pulp and paper production technology program in partnership with Verso Paper, which has a mill in Bucksport.

BANGOR (AP) — Fall enrollment at Maine’s universities and community colleges is expected to be about the same as last fall.

Classes begin Tuesday at the state’s seven universities and two of the community colleges. Classes at the other five community colleges began last Monday.

University of Maine System officials expect about 31,000 students this fall, although the number of first-year and transfer students is projected to grow. About 18,500 students are expected at the community colleges.

Rosa Redonnet, the university system’s chief student affairs officer, credits the growth in new students to an ongoing initiative — system-wide and at individual campuses — to attract and retain students.

“We saw an increase last year and we’re seeing the same thing this year,” she said. “It’s not big, but overall it’s about 1.7 to 1.8 percent.”

Enrollment at Maine’s seven community colleges is also projected to be about the same as last fall, said Maine Community College System spokeswoman Helen Pelletier.

There will be several new programs offered at various locations within the system this fall, Pelletier said.

Kennebec Valley Community College is holding classes for the first time at its 600-acre Harold Alfond Campus at the former Good Will-Hinckley School in Fairfield. There, students can take part in agriculture-oriented programs and work on a 120-acre farm while earning an associate degree in sustainable agriculture.

York County Community College is starting a new precision machining technology program in Sanford, and a new veterinary technology program at its campus in Wells.

In Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is offering a new pulp and paper production technology program in partnership with Verso Paper, which has a mill in Bucksport.