Cramming is something college students take pride in. But now the roles are reversed and its university leaders in Idaho who are cramming.

Governor Butch Otter announced cuts to the tune of four percent on Monday and he wants what will be cut by December 8^th. Those cuts will cost the State's university system 11 million dollars.

"This is a difficult time for all of higher education," Boise State University spokesman Frank Zang said. Boise State's share of the cuts is 3.5 million dollars. To get to that number BSU leaders are looking to scale back renovation plans and faculty travel. They're also considering not filling several dozen teacher openings. "Were making strategic decisions when it comes to staffing we don't want to affect quality and services we provide our students," Zang said.

University of Idaho leaders are following suit. The university already had what they called a hiring pause in place. Monday that changed to a hiring freeze for all state funded positions.

Cuts are nothing new to higher education. Universities went threw cuts under former governor Dirk Kempthorne. In the end it was the students who paid the ultimate price, with a 12% tuition increase.

In just the last three years tuition at BSU has increased between five and seven percent each year. How big of an increase students can expect thanks to the most recent cuts aren't clear yet. But if history repeats those numbers will be closer to the 12% than what students have seen in recent years.

The State Board of Education makes the final decision on tuition hikes. That decision will happen in January.