On Sept. 7, Skyline College released its annual census figures, showing 7,747 students enrolled, more than 400 less students than were enrolled in 2003, and over 850 less than 2002.

According to Gerald Peel of Skyline’s public relations office, though this figure is down, a more recent estimate showed enrollment was up due to those signing up for short courses.

“We are down in terms of a head count, but because we have people signing up for short courses the latest figure we had was over 7,800,” Peel said.

Even with students enrolling in short courses, overall enrollment is still down, a fact that could be due to the per-unit fee increase recently implemented.

“Cost may be a factor for students,” Sherri Hancock, dean of Skyline’s admissions and records department. “The cost has gone up for the past two years-two years ago it was $11 per unit, then it was $18, and now it’s $26. It very definitely might be a factor.”

And for some students, cost is a crucial element in their quest for higher education.

“It’s not so much a big deal for me right now, but it will be,” said Stitch Donelan, a Skyline student. “I got a scholarship that covered the first two semesters I’ve been here, but that’s about to run out. I’m going to have to work to go to school, so I’m concerned about work and school. The job market’s not so hot right now, but I need a full-time job in order to get health insurance. I’m definitely concerned about a lot of things.”

Still, others find that the price is not so much an issue in terms of cost, but in terms of what classes are chosen.

“It definitely affects the selection process, more though in what I select,” said Tyler Brent, another student from Skyline. “I’m taking one less unit now, but I’ve been more selective about what classes I take.”