MOSCOW, Idaho - The $11.8 million budget cut announced three weeks ago by University of Idaho President Bob Hoover has increased to $28.4 million, to take place over the next two years.

Hoover announced the increased budget cuts in The Register, the weekly faculty and staff newsletter.

"We are facing ongoing financial issues that will total approximately $8.4 million or $16.6 million over the next two years, in addition to the $11.8 million reduction," Hoover wrote. The bottom line will be a $28.4 million cut.

"I'm concerned for the University of Idaho in general. It has a hard enough time recruiting people now with such a low tuition rate," said Leah-Marie Wagner, a sports science sophomore.

Erin Foye a sophomore majoring in criminal justice, sociology and Spanish major said there isn't much students can do.

"Just deal with it. Our economy is going down right now. We just have to try to be understanding. They wouldn't do this if didn't have to," said Foye,.

Faculty Council Chairman Ronald E. Smelser said even though the university has been confronted with some bad news, he does not sense a depression or pessimism among the faculty, staff or students.

"I get no sense of that here. I get no sense of doom and gloom, and I think the president and provost are doing their best to minimize that," Smelser said. "They know there will be human cost, and they are trying to do their best to minimize that."

Dan Noble, associate students fee committee chairman, said budget cuts are not limited to UI; Washington State and Oregon State universities are experiencing similar cuts.

Unlike WSU or OSU, UI can increase fees by only 10 percent unless the state board of education approves a larger increase.

"The thing that I think bodes well for us is that we have that 10 percent cap on student fees, but WSU doesn't have that cap. If they want to increase to 20 percent they can, and I think they have before," Noble said.

But Noble said the board will be considering raising fees more than 10 percent this week.

He said while student leaders at UI, including ASUI President Leah Clark-Thomas, are opposed to an increase more than 10 percent, there will be a trade off.

"We are trying to keep it at 10 percent, and at the same time we have to know there are consequences to that," Noble said. "If we keep it at 10 percent but they end up cutting a program, or if we go up to 15 percent and we keep a program, it's a lose-lose situation."

"To me it is very scary; I mean, talking about eliminating programs is scary talk to me," Noble said.

While the thought of cutting programs is unpleasant, Smelser said students, faculty and staff still have the chance to throw new ideas on the table.

"I would hope all faculty, staff and students would submit their best ideas because there is no lock on that," Smelser said.