JACKSON (AP) — The leaders of Mississippi’s eight public universities say they’re trying to uphold the quality of their academic offerings even as tight budgets are forcing them to evaluate what they can, or cannot, afford to do on campus.

In some cases, universities are leaving vacant jobs unfilled, cutting travel budgets or deferring repairs to leaky roofs.

In other cases, they’re trying to maintain their class offerings, sometimes with less-than-ideal teaching situations.

Jackson State University President Ronald Mason said he recently received a call from a calculus professor who was trying to teach 44 students in single class — an unwieldy number for a subject that can require individual attention. Mason said only 30 computers are available for the 44 students.

Mason said some Jackson State students have been unable to take the required freshman English classes this year because the university couldn’t afford to hire enough instructors. He said some students might have to stay in school an extra semester to take the courses they’re missing now.

Mason asked legislative budget writers this past week to imagine what the cost of an extra semester might mean to parents who are trying to juggle their families’ budgets.

“What would your reaction be if you got that call?” he said.

A sluggish economy is dragging down Mississippi’s tax collections. Gov. Haley Barbour has been forced to make two rounds of cuts from the $5 billion state budget since November.

Universities are losing 4.8 percent of their state money because of the cuts, about the same percentage lost by many agencies. For the fiscal year that ends June 30, the university system originally was given $786.3 million. It is losing just over $38 million.

University of Mississippi Chancellor Robert Khayat told lawmakers that higher education leaders understand times are tight for everyone.

“This is not a time for complaining and blaming,” Khayat said. “It’s a time for unity.”

Still, higher education officials said that universities in Mississippi and around the nation have seen a loss in state financial support as a percentage of their overall budgets since the mid-1990s. That has translated into steady increases in tuition and a large reliance on private donations.

“Education actually costs greenback, American dollar bills,” Khayat told members of the House Appropriations Committee, some of whom nodded in agreement.

Since 2000, the average tuition at Mississippi’s eight universities has increased from a yearly rate of $2,864 to the current $4,742.

Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant and some senators are proposing a plan designed to put the brakes on tuition increases. The plan says that if the College Board has to raise tuition, the amount cannot exceed the consumer price index. Any increase would have to be announced a year before it goes into effect.

The bill would provide a $500 tax credit to parents or students each year they pay tuition.

Opponents say the plan might please people who are trying to pay for college, but it could severely limit the budgets of universities. Higher education officials said Mississippi schools already have trouble recruiting and retaining faculty members because salaries in the state lag about $9,900 behind the Southeastern average.

Rep. George Flaggs, D-Vicksburg, told the university presidents he understands their plight.

“I cannot, emphatically not, vote for the lieutenant governor’s proposal to cap tuition,” Flaggs said.

Claudia Limbert, president of Mississippi University for Women, said the school is leaving some jobs unfilled and has reduced hours for students’ computer labs to save money. She said if budgets become tighter, officials “will have to put everything on the table,” including consideration of reducing scholarships or cutting faculty jobs.

“We are being pushed to the brink where quality is eroded,” Limbert said.

Mark Keenum, the new president of Mississippi State University, said MSU has a hiring freeze on administrative staff. He said some major repairs, such as replacing roofs, are being delayed.

Donna Oliver, who started work this month as president of Mississippi Valley State University, said the school has 29 vacant jobs, nine of which are faculty positions. She said in the Delta, the poorest part of the state, any dramatic increases in tuition could prevent some students from enrolling.

Delta State University President John Hilpert said his school has 34 unfilled positions, some of them for faculty jobs. He said most travel has been eliminated, and Delta State is delaying the purchase of library equipment and putting off repairs to some buildings.

“If you served in the Mississippi Delta counties, an uncertain economy is pretty familiar,” Hilpert said.

George Ross, president of Alcorn State University, said because his campus has several old buildings, he’s not planning to delay maintenance. He said some employees might lose their jobs if the budget gets tighter.

Ross, a certified public accountant, said he is looking for detailed ways to cut costs.

“I don’t wear a green eyeshade,” Ross said. “But I do use a sharp pencil.”

Joe Morgan, chief financial officer of the University of Southern Mississippi, said the school has had a hiring freeze since the fall, and it limiting its purchases of supplies and equipment. He said USM officials have trimmed fat from the budget.

“We feel like there’s nothing left but bone,” Morgan said.