MACHIAS – A record-high number of students can be found roaming the University of Maine at Machias campus this semester.

Although the official University of Maine System deadline for enrollment numbers isn’t until Oct. 15, UMM already is seeing the highest number of students in its ranks since 1992.

“Not only do we have a full house, we have a great new class,” Acting President Sue Huseman said Friday. “It’s been an absolutely fantastic return to school.”

In 1992, the student count for fall semester was at 958. As of Friday, this semester’s count was 1,338.

“This puts us right where we wanted to be this fall,” Huseman said. After experiencing a slight drop in enrollment last year, the university worked hard to increase the size of its incoming class to go along with its planned increase in growth over the next few years.

In order to accommodate the additional student body, with 315 of them living on campus, a wing was added to Dorward Hall. The new facility provides upperclassmen with suite-style living.

Students moved into the first-floor space last weekend, while those scheduled to live on the second floor had to wait until today.

While construction crews were putting the finishing touches on the second floor, students slated to live there camped out in study lounges and doubled up with other students on campus.