Budget cuts blamed for decline in enrollment.(around the nation)

BRIDGEPORT, Conn.(AP) -- Enrollment across the state's 12 community colleges has dropped for the first time in 13 years.

Student head counts slipped 7.4 percent for full-time student enrollments and 1 percent overall this fall--to 57,674 full- and part-time students.

While a receding baby boom and chronically sluggish economy might factor into the decline, some state education officials put most of the blame squarely at the feet of state budget cuts that forced them to cap enrollment, limit course offerings mad cut back on adjunct faculty.

"Some students got turned away, I am sure they did," said Mary Anne Cox, assistant chancellor for the community college …