CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- A local community college has been able to balance its budget despite drastic state cuts, and administrators said classes have not been hurt.

While it is difficult to talk about balancing a budget without mentioning layoffs or cutting enrollment, Southwestern College in Chula Vista has done it for two years straight.

Southwestern College President Dr. Raj Chopra is a happy man because of his school's balanced budget, despite being cut $8 million by the state this year.

Chopra said, "So far, I think we have been very, very fortunate to not have the impact on students."

Enrollment is up 8 percent, and Chopra said school officials begin working on the budget more than a year ahead of time.

Southwestern College saved $2 million last year, and this year classes have not been eliminated but some sections have.

For example, English 101 may only be offered eight times instead of 10. Also, five people were laid off from the administration and staff. Several hourly positions were also cut, which means some services like printing and the library are now limited.

Associated Student Organization President Chris Debauche said, "If that's only open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and you've got an 8 a.m. class, you come to print your homework, you can't print it."

Debauche said students might not miss any classes but will have a harder time with campus services.

Instead of cutting the hourly employees, Debauche said Chopra should have negotiated a pay cut with the employees and teachers unions.

"But Chopra totally said, 'No way, I'm not doing it.' He was like, 'That is the last thing I'm going to do. I'm not going to talk to them at all about that,'" said Debauche.

Chopra said he made cuts that would protect classrooms first.

"I am willing to make the decision, which may be unpopular for the time being, but will be popular in the long run," said Chopra.

School officials said Southwestern College's current budget is tentative, as the administration still has to wait for the state to finalize its budget.

In the meantime, school officials are already working on next year's budget.