BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) – It’s the first day of classes at Cal State University Bakersfield, the first full semester for new president Vernon Harper and the first day students have been forced to get their brains into gear again. After about five weeks off, students are back on the Stockdale Highway campus for the spring semester. President Vernon Harper Jr., who was promoted from interim president to the top job just last fall, was out on the campus’ red brick road Tuesday morning along with other administrators greeting students. “Just really excited about the upcoming year, you know,” Harper said. “Becoming Kern County’s university is really at the forefront of our mind.” Should you refinance your student loans? He’ll have his work cut out. State budget shortfalls will necessitate some tough financial choices this year, including but not limited to keeping some faculty openings vacant. But Harper was upbeat nonetheless, especially about enrollment, which for now is 9,682. “We’re very very proud of our enrollment,” he said. “According to our numbers this morning, we’re up 4% for the spring. And so we expect to continue growing as an institution, growing with Kern County.” The students we talked to were serious about getting to work. No auditions for "Animal House" today. Not for senior Eduardo Martinez anyway. “Things have very much changed from the party animal, 'Van Wilder' style on college campuses,” he said, “to more like students are really taking this more like a priority, over their classes very seriously.” Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW Likewise, freshman Marco Antonio Lopez has his eyes on the prize -- a diploma. But he’ll enjoy his time at CSUB, too. “University is really time consuming,” he said, “but could be really fun too. If you meet the right people, find the right thing to do on campus. Yeah, it can be fun times.” But this week, it’s all about cracking those books and diving in.