SIUC enrollment declined for the fifth consecutive fall semester because of low numbers of graduating high school seniors, SIUC administrators say.

22,418 students enrolled this fall, a 3.2 percent drop from last fall’s figure of 23,162.

The decline has had effects on SIUC’s financial situation. A memo written by John Jackson, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, to students, faculty and staff in COLA said the University’s tuition income fund took a $1 million hit because of the low enrollment.

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The enrollment numbers were released Wednesday by SIUC President John Guyon who said in a press release that the decline was expected by University officials.

We projected that our numbers would be down again this year, he said. We know that from 1989 through 1992, fewer students graduated from high school across the state. That translates into several years of smaller University classes, however, our enrollment will rebound in coming years.

Last spring enrollment hit a four-year low when only 21,811 took classes at SIUC. Admissions and records officials have said spring enrollment is traditionally lower than fall because of December graduates and freshmen who drop out.