Facing criticism about classroom cuts from students and faculty, Sonoma State University's president Tuesday warned of across-the-board cost reductions to help offset $5 million in state cuts from the school's $70 million budget.

"These are cruel times, and nothing but cruel choices," President Ruben Armiñana said during a campus budget summit. "It is not a pretty picture, any way around."

Instructors, students and administrators were among the hundreds who filled the Evert B. Person Theater for the forum, one of dozens taking place across the 23-campus California State University system this spring as it grapples with $240 million in cuts under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed 2004-05 budget.

The governor's budget proposes no funding for enrollment growth at either the CSU or the University of California system -- a stipulation that is expected to cost SSU $2.6 million as it turns away 500 students and the funding that would have followed.

Between this academic year and next, "we should have grown by 800 students," said Armiñana, who presides over about 8,000 students. But for the coming academic year, "we have sent letters of rejection to 1,300 qualified students -- students who did everything right."

Armiñana repeated his commitment Tuesday to protect the jobs of full-time permanent employees, while some 250 part-time and temporary faculty and staff are expected not to be rehired this fall.

Citing union protections of many permanent employees, Armiñana said: "We have a pyramid, and it is unfair, but the bottom of the pyramid goes first."

The president and fellow budget panelists predicted:

Cancellation of course sections.

Higher enrollments per class, and larger student-to-faculty ratios.

Reduced opportunities for faculty development.

Fewer laboratory and computer upgrades and reduced maintenance.

Unfilled or eliminated staff positions.

The resources of some academic programs may become so strained that their accreditation renewal may be jeopardized, faculty Chairwoman Catherine Nelson predicted.

She said student/faculty ratios could increase dramatically, depending on the course of study. In English courses, for example, a 21-to-1 ratio could grow to 36 students per faculty member in the fall.

SSU's California Faculty Association president, Victor Garlin, suggested Armiñana cut administrative jobs before eliminating teaching positions.

"Instructional faculty ought to be the last -- not the first -- to go during a budget crisis," Garlin said.

His argument resonated with students, including Leslie Banta, a former bookkeeper from Ukiah who is studying to teach junior high math.

"Sonoma State University is in business to provide instruction," Banta said. "What are we willing to sacrifice so our students have a quality education? Or is it the quality education we're willing to sacrifice instead?"

Schwarzenegger proposed fee increases to help CSU make up for lost revenue, but the hikes would bring only partial relief. A 10 percent fee increase for undergraduates would raise CSU fees from $2,046 to $2,251 annually. A 40 percent fee increase would raise graduate student fees from $2,256 to $3,158 a year, while a 20 percent increase for nonresident students would result in a jump from $8,460 to $10,152.