Books, classes and homework — Sam Houston State University students headed to class Monday as summer vacations ended and the temperature continued to rise.

Students were welcomed back by several organizations hosting events in the Mall area and Bearkat Mania in the Lowman Student Center Ballroom, while temperatures rose to the high 90s. Professors in the Evans Building were on hand to help students navigate the building, while computer service golf carts were traveling back and forth to fix computer problems across campus. Students lined up in the bookstore to buy last-minute textbooks for class.

It was obvious everywhere you looked, “Bearkat Country” was filling up once again for the 2006-07 school year.

Most students asked were glad to be back and excited to begin the new school year. Junior Kaysie Mayfield said she was excited to be back to see everyone.

“The day was simple but the best thing was to be able to enter the Teacher Education Building for the first time for a class,” Mayfield said.

Junior Michael Glazer said his professors just went over the syllabus today and he said he’s glad to be back.

“I missed everyone and everything and am glad to be back and my goal is to make the Dean’s List this semester,” Glazer said. Frank Krystyniak, SHSU public relations director, told the Item on Monday the number of students on campus is swelling yearly. According to estimated numbers, 14,969 students have paid up for the fall semester, and 15,501 are currently enrolled. Last year there were 15,308 registered students.

Krystyniak said there could be a final report of nearly 2,000 new students this year. Sixty-eight new faculty members also braved the first day of classes Monday.

The larger student population presented a problem for on-campus living, as far as available rooms. Krystyniak said no rooms are available in any dorms, but a few could open in the next few weeks for those students waiting for housing. He said nearly 3,310 students are currently living on campus. Smith/Kirkley Dorms were not scheduled for use this semester but Residence Life had to use them for overflow. Currently 226 are living in Smith Hall temporarily, Krystyniak said.

Raven Nest, apartment-style living on campus, opened up for upper-class students this year. Joellen Tipton, Director of Residence Life, said Raven Nest has been a big hit with students and said she has heard nothing but good things from the residents and staff.

Senior Derrick Ratliff said he’s looking forward to graduating this year. He said he’s excited about his days-off and starting the year is a chance to recover from the summer.

“I haven’t had a day off in two semesters,” Ratliff said.

Karen Banks, a transfer student from Lamar University in Houston, said her day was more hectic.

“I lived on campus and knew the lay of the land at Lamar,” Banks said. “But since today was my first day on campus, I had to find everything myself.”