Fall enrollment at Bakersfield College is at its highest mark in eight years, reaching nearly 19,000 students.

BC spokeswoman Amber Chiang says the east-side campus was flooded for its first day Monday, but also says the school was anticipating the increase.

“We’ve added about 140 new courses this semester and we have more that we’re planning on adding, and that helps us alleviate those wait lists,” she said.

Chiang says enrollment could eclipse the 19,000 mark by next month.

– Anthony Pollreisz