The leaders of California's three higher education systems said that they are preparing to make budget cuts proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown, but warned that if the governor’s plan to extend tax increases fails they will be forced to offer fewer degree programs and enrollment slots.

In a press conference at the State Capitol Monday, University of California President Mark G. Yudof, California State University Chancellor Charles B. Reed and California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott discussed the fallout of Brown's plan to cut $1.4 billion from higher education funding.

"We're saying, 'I don't like it. I don't want to do it, but I'm willing to do it for the CSU if there is a future to reinvest in California and have a conversation about what kind of California do we want for our kids, what kind of economy do we want, what kind of people do we want in the work force. So this one time, sure. I'm willing to sacrifice because every public agency is going to have to sacrifice something," Reed said, according to the Sacramento Bee.

Despite the proposed cuts, Reed said the CSU is not considering additional student fee hikes for 2011/12 so long as the system is not cut further.

However, should the governor’s tax plan fail, “everything” would be back on the table.

"We are looking at layoffs. We are looking at program elimination, at shrinking the enterprise," Yudof said.