POCATELLO - Despite expectations more students are taking summer classes at Idaho State University compared to last year.

If you walk around the ISU campus it may not look busy, but summer enrollment is up about 1.6%.

That means more than 3,900 students are taking classes this summer. Larry Ford, Associate Vice-President for Special Programs and Enrollment Management said, "It's a pretty big deal for the College of Education, and College of Technology. Pharmacy is significantly up in summer enrollment."

Administrators are surprised at the increase because several summer classes were canceled due to budget cuts. One possible reason for the increase is the economy.

Administrators believe that some students are trying to finish their programs more quickly to help them find a reliable job. Ford said, "Especially if they can't find a steady job in the summer time."

Another big reason students are taking summer classes is that there wasn't any other choice. Devin Tanner, a Biology Senior said, "I needed to make up some courses so I'm taking some summer classes."

Steven Hallam, a Physics Intern added, "I decided this would be a great opportunity to come, learn a little more, and get some credit out of it."

On the downside Summer classes are taught in a shorter time period compared to the Fall and Spring.

That means many students are in class almost every day of the week and have a test every few days. Tanner said, "It's pretty intense, but at the same time you don't forget it as quickly, where (in a different semester) you're spread over more time and have tests every couple of weeks."

Allison Roberts, a first year Occupational Therapy student added, "It's kind of hard to be in one class for three hours. It's interesting, but at the same time its hard just being in class all day when it's nice outside."

A distraction not as common in December.

Administrators expect the number of students to continue increasing.

In the Fall there are already 5.6% more students registered compared to last year, and the number of transfer students applying to ISU has gone up by about 31%.