Similar demonstrations are planned at other Cal State campuses in the coming weeks. Organizers are concerned that the cuts would force Cal State to raise fees, turn students away, eliminate classes, lay off teachers and increase class sizes.

"The state does not need fewer college graduates, it needs a whale of a lot more," Cal State San Bernardino President Al Karnig said Wednesday.

Tom Meisenhelder, president of the Cal State San Bernardino chapter of the California Faculty Association, said, "Our job right now is to try to convince the governor and the people in the legislature that that kind of cut . . . will really be devastating to the university and the state's economy."

Meisenhelder said his group is concerned that the budget cuts will limit student access to the university, which educates many of the state's teachers, nurses and other professionals that are crucial to economic progress.

He also is concerned about the impacts on faculty, whose workloads will likely increase while their salaries remain the same.

Cal State University is not alone. The governor has proposed reducing funding for most programs including the University of California and community colleges by 10 percent to address a budget deficit, currently estimated at about $8 billion in 2008-09. He will present a revised budget proposal in May.

The proposed cuts come at a time when the state's public colleges and universities are experiencing record numbers of undergraduate applications.

Cal State officials announced that enrollment will be capped at 2007-08 levels meaning about 10,000 qualified students will not be admitted statewide. Those that are admitted along with continuing students will likely face a 10 percent fee increase from an average of about $3,521 a year.

Ashley Baugh, vice president, university affairs for Cal State San Bernardino Associated Students Inc., said many students are concerned about how the cuts will affect the timing of their financial aid packets. If the packets are delayed, the students won't be able to enroll in the classes they need.

"Students' number one concern is financial aid, financial aid, financial aid," Baugh said.