ARCATA -- Cutting the equivalent of 60 full-time positions and 255 class sections sounds grim, but Humboldt State University Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Rick Vrem said he'd feared having to make even more substantial cuts.

The university had to trim $8 million out of its $69.3 million base budget as part of Gov. Gray Davis' plan for dealing with the state budget deficit. Last week, HSU officials submitted their proposal to the California State University Chancellor's Office.

Each of HSU's three vice presidents developed a plan for his department. Academic affairs, the largest department, will lose $1.4 million out of its operating budget. Vrem's plan will cut 60 full-time equivalent faculty, staff, lecturers, graduate assistants and administrative positions and reduce 255 class sections.

He said he'd originally been asked to make larger cuts, but that would have made it impossible to meet students' needs.

"The first priority is, we've got to be able to offer these classes to the students," Vrem said. "That's why we're here."

Vrem sought and found around $800,000 within the university budget to pay for courses. Through delaying some non-academic projects, the university was able to shift money to academics, he said.

Around 200 of the 255 class sections to be cut are in spring semester. Vrem said he hopes to find more money before January to restore some of them.

Eliminating class sections means increased class sizes in those classes remaining, something Vrem said HSU wants to avoid since it prides itself on close interaction between students and teachers.

He added that classes considered "elective" -- those not needed to complete a degree -- are the first to be eliminated.

"This year, there will be virtually no elective classes," he said.

Some part-time faculty members whose class sections were cut have lost their jobs. Non-teaching staff and administrative cuts ranged from reducing employees' hours to delaying filling some vacant positions. The dean of enrollment management is leaving in June, and will not be replaced, Vrem said.

The Center for Indian Community Development, which provides outreach to local Indian tribes, is also facing substantial cuts. Vrem said university officials want to keep working closely with Indian communities, but hope the center can keep its projects going this year with less money. He said the plan is to restore funding after a year.

The HSU library is also losing funds. Vrem said it will probably be open fewer hours and subscribe to fewer journals and periodicals.

Virtually every university department -- from support services to athletics to physical services -- faces cuts of 10 percent or more. The state Legislature is still determining the state budget, and HSU's final plans will depend on that decision.