Students start classes at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, on Wednesday. But there will be fewer of them than expected and that caused a budget gap for the school of $2.6 million dollars.

Several years ago, Hampshire College decided it would award financial aid based more on need and become more selective in its admissions process.

“We knew that would reduce numbers,” said Hampshire President Jonathan Lash. “It was intended to reduce numbers. We’re about 60 students below where we intended to be this year. We lost more than we thought we would.”

Lash says he believes that campus protests which occurred last spring while accepted students were visiting also may have discouraged some from attending Hampshire.

The college has covered the shortfall with over $1 million in contributions from trustees and by declining to fill 15 open jobs.