CHICO — Employees at Chico State University were sent an e-mail from President Paul Zingg this week, outlining what is known about the upcoming staff furloughs and campus budget.

Numerous details have yet to be worked out before classes begin Aug. 24.

With the state budget, California State University campuses have been jarred by budget cutbacks that include a reduction of $584 million. Students at Chico State will pay an additional $978 a semester with the new budget.

Part of the budget package is two furlough days a month for most staff, which equals about 9.5 percent less in pay, which will save about $275 million systemwide.

Universities in the 23-campus system will also need to trim another $186 million from campus budgets.

One questions has been, and remains, how exactly will furloughs work. While less staffing is problematic in all departments, teachers have varied workloads, meet with students and grade papers, projects and tests.

In the letter sent to staff this week, Zingg said the California Faculty Association (the union for teachers) have entered talks about how the furloughs will work.

For other campus employees with furloughs, staff will take off the