"It means cutting more classes, classes are going to get bigger, a higher student to faculty ratio, it will be harder for students to take classes, harder to graduate and higher debt," HSU spokesman Paul Mann said. "Their futures will be mortgaged more than ever."

The California State University system recently notified HSU of its looming deficit, which represents nearly 10 percent of HSU's anticipated $76.4 million total budget for the 2008-2009 year.

The total budget is lower than planned, as the governor called for a system-wide reduction and a loss of the Higher Education Compact funds -- which would have provided $4.3 million to HSU.

"This couldn't have come at a worse time for Humboldt State," said Robin Meiggs, HSU's California Faculty Association representative. "So many people have worked to get enrollment up and now that we've exceeded it, we're told we won't get more money."

On top of the effects on students, faculty and staff, it's the local economy that will ultimately suffer, Meiggs said. And making cuts to the largest public university system in the nation surely isn't the way to address issues, she said.

"Here's the real question -- what is important to the citizens of the state of California?" Meiggs asked. "Do we want our children to be well educated?"

Along with implementing cuts that will be decided as the year progresses, students will likely see a 10 percent fee hike again next year, Mann said. And the $7.3 million figure isn't set in stone, he said.

"It's entirely possible this $7.3 million could get worse," Mann said. "If the recession gets worse and goes on for a long time, if the state deficit continues to go up, there will be more pressure."

The vice presidents at HSU will make recommendations to the university budget committee before HSU's spring break, Mann said. The committee, which has an advisory role, will later make recommendations to President Rollin Richmond, who has the ultimate authority on what the cuts will be.

Judith Little, a faculty representative on the budget committee, said the committee is still trying to evaluate the situation. "We're a little bit behind where we should be in being able to plan well," she said. "There are so many unknowns."

Little said the deans have been working to restructure administration and courses to see where money can be saved, opening the possibility for layoffs and offering a "bare bones" summer class schedule.

She said she thinks there needs to be more transparency between departments to provide a better understanding of each department's needs.
"We've been a little too loose about that and not because we're bad folks, but because budget information flows in all year long," she said.

The CSU system is facing a $386 million reduction next year, just one of many areas of the state targeted by the governor to rid the state deficit.