Record state college
enrollments

Hartford (AP) - Connecticut education officials say enrollment at the state's public universities and colleges has hit a new record high of 184,544.

It's the seventh-consecutive year that the enrollment total has broken previous records. The number of students increased 3 percent since last year, which is the largest annual gain in two decades.

Officials say the numbers indicate that Connecticut's public colleges are not only attracting more traditional-age students, but also adults going back to school as a result of the economic downturn.

Michael Meotti, the state's higher education commissioner, says many people are enrolling in college to improve their prospects, as they have in past tough economic times.

Enrollment increases were highest at the state's community colleges.