Gov. Gray Davis released the May revision of the state budget on Wednesday to an expectant and largely fearful crowd.

According to the office of the chancellor for California State University, however, the cuts coming down the pipeline aimed at education were both expected and prepared for.

“There weren’t any significant additional cuts for the CSU system,” said Colleen Bentley-Adler, director of public affairs for CSU. “We are more concerned with the legislative proposal, which advocates an additional $69.5 million cut.”

Mary Stephens, vice president of business and finance for CSU Stanislaus, said although there seemed to be a sense that education was going to be protected, administrators were going to proceed with caution in preparing for the next fiscal year.

Typically, CSUS represents 2 percent of the CSU system’s allocations. Should the Legislature and governor agree on the next round of budget cuts, CSUS could lose an estimated $1.4 million - in addition to the $1.5 million already scheduled.

“We should know by next month what the final answer is,” said Bentley-Adler. “It’s hard to make these big decisions with so much uncertainty.”

Bentley-Adler said should the CSU take another big hit, as is expected, student fees will definitely go beyond the 25 percent increase that is being discussed now. In fact, fees could go up as high as 37-38 percent.

“We are hoping the cuts stay away from the classroom,” said Stephens. “We need to count our blessings where we have them.”

Administrators are hoping for a definitive answer before July 1, the start of the next fiscal year, at which point they can vote on student fee increases at the July CSU Board of Trustees meeting.