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MISSOULA — Enrollment at the University of Montana declined 7.5 percent this spring compared to last, for a headcount of 11,955, according to data from UM.

The headcount last spring was 12,922.

Decreases since 2009 have strained the UM budget, and this year, the university is working to make up a $12 million shortfall. Its general fund was some $160 million in the 2015 fiscal year.

In a statement, vice president of integrated communications Peggy Kuhr wrote UM officials anticipated the continued dip this semester.

"The spring student headcount is right in line with what we expected, given the fall 2015 enrollment," Kuhr wrote in the statement provided by UM Relations. "The spring enrollment numbers also line up with UM's budget projections.

"That means the work on balancing this spring's budget and then planning for Fiscal Year 17 continues as expected. In short, there were no surprises."

UM typically announces its fall and spring enrollment figures with news releases, but this semester, it quietly posted the spring 2016 census on its website.