Budget cuts and a declining number of part-time faculty members have forced university officials to cut a larger number of psychology classes for the spring semester making it harder on students to register.

Dean of Social Sciences Joseph F. Sheley said the $1.5 million cut in funds for the university over the last two years is taking a toll in his department.

&It&s just a lot tighter,& Sheley said. &The department is serving roughly the same number of students as they did last spring, even though there are fewer courses.&

But seniors planning to graduate this spring, such as Cyndi Warner, are having a harder time getting in the required courses.

&I am outraged at the registry process,& Warner said in an e-mail to the State Hornet. &In my department alone, a total of 14 classes were cancelled this semester.&

As a result of the cancelled classes, Warner said she might have to postpone her graduation date.

&Most departments will work with students who get caught this way,& Sheley said. &They will try very hard to find substitute classes to make it work out.

&Warner said even though she has tried through academic advising and her counselor to resolve her difficulties, she still won&t be able to graduate this spring.

Sheley said along with budget cuts, many part-time faculty members have left the university for other jobs that they view as more secure in the face of the budget cuts. The department has also had a number of faculty members retire.

Larry Glasmire, director of special programs and enrollment, said although cuts have hurt all departments, every effort has been made not to cancel classes.

&Nobody did this in a cavalier way,& Sheley said. &You serve the students in the best manner that you can.&