The University of Alabama at Birmingham is expected to welcome one of the largest freshman classes in its history this fall.

According to Admissions Director Andrew Colson, the Department of Admissions anticipates the university’s October census will report nearly 2,500 freshmen, surpassing the previous record of 2,417 set in 2021.

The increase has prompted observations from students who have noticed heavier foot traffic in certain areas of campus. Some upperclassmen said that residence halls, parking lots and recreational spaces appear busier than in previous years.

“I don’t think [campus] has enough space,” said RJ, a sophomore who lives on campus. “UAB should try to make more space so that if we get another group of freshmen that’s even bigger, we don’t have to worry about having enough room.”

Braylon, a junior, said the change has been noticeable since summer orientation. “It feels like there’s more people here than in the past,” he said. “I worked here over the summer and saw all the orientation sessions—they were completely full.”

Braylon also described parking as a growing challenge, comparing the experience of purchasing a permit to “a Taylor Swift Ticketmaster sale.”

While overall undergraduate enrollment decreased by nearly 4% from 2023 to 2024, the expected increase in first-year students highlights the university’s ongoing growth. UAB has recently invested in new facilities such as the Gorrie, East and South Science halls, which have expanded classroom and laboratory space.

As enrollment continues to rise, the university’s ability to accommodate a growing student population remains an area of consideration for future planning.