Cal State Northridge, already hit by state funding shortfalls in recent years, would be forced to make additional cuts in staff and classes under budget proposals being considered in Sacramento.

Gov. Pete Wilson has proposed a 7% decrease in funds allotted to the California State University system, but school officials worry that when the budget debate concludes, CSU could lose as much as 13% in state funding.

There are many unknowns regarding CSUN's situation, and to prepare for the worst, the university has developed several plans that would trim the budget, which is about $138 million this year, by 5% to 10% when classes resume in the fall. CSUN officials have said repeatedly that the budget situation remains fluid and that no final decisions have been made.

But CSUN President Blenda J. Wilson has warned that some staff layoffs are inevitable, and in February she bluntly told the faculty: "This is not an employment agency, this is a university."

Cost-Saving Measures

In addition to the full-time staff and class cuts, CSUN may also:

Charge students extra $30 per semester for medical services. Would generate $1.5 million.

Lay off up to 300 part-time instructors

Eliminate duplication and overlap

CSUN Profile (for 1992-1993)

* Enrollment: 29,092

* Annual tuition per student: $1,308

* Other fees: $212

* Teaching staff: 846 full time, 342 part time

* Overall budget: $138 million

Rising Tuition

Students at CSUN pay the same yearly tuition as students at all Cal State campuses. Tuition is expected to jump $480, a 37% increase, for the 1993-94 year. Yearly tuition for CSU full-time:

1994*: $1,788 Projected

* Projected

Shrinking Faculty

The university experienced a significant reduction in full-time, tenure-track faculty when 88 faculty members retired last fall as part of a budget-cutting measure. CSUN full-time faculty:

1992: 846

CSUN Salaries: A Big Part of the Budget

Salaries and benefits constitute 85% of the budget at CSUN. Some examples of annual salaries:

* Assistant professor (mid-level): $38,208

* Associate professor (mid-level): $45,996

* Full professor (top level): $60,960

* Associate dean: $70,000-$82,000

* Dean: $88,000-$93,000

* Provost: $111,000

* President: $134,800

Cutting Classes