COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) – Officials at the University of Missouri have projected that about 1,400 fewer first-time freshmen have enrolled at the school compared to last year.

The Columbia Daily Tribune reports that the university’s projection would result in a class size of 4,800. University spokesman Christian Basi says this year’s exact number will not be known until the first-day count takes place Monday.

About 2,600 fewer students overall are expected to attend classes at the university this fall compared to last year.

According to interim chancellor Hank Foley and other university officials, several factors explain the enrollment drop, including changing demographics, more competition in recruiting high school students. They also cite leadership turmoil and student protests over issues of race last semester.