Raleigh, N.C. — Bigger classes and fewer class offerings – North Carolina State University students have to cope with those conditions this school year.

State budget cuts forced all University of North Carolina system campuses to cut their budgets by 10 percent. That number includes the funding decrease in the new state budget, plus another 4 percent in case the state has to contend with more revenue shortfalls.

At N.C. State, that means about $53 million less in its budget this year, and that means 300 fewer class sections, 9,700 fewer class seats and about 400 fewer faculty and staff positions.

N.C. State interim Chancellor Jim Woodward says that means a significant impact for students.

"It will make it a little difficult for students to get exactly the schedule they need," Woodward said. "If that happens, it could impact their time to degree.

Woodward said the 10 percent cut is not across the board. Departments serving undergraduates, especially freshmen and sophomores, saw a 3 to 8 percent cut.

"We've tried to protect the core mission of the university, in particular, the instructional activities," Woodward said.