LOGAN, Utah -- Utah State University is facing a possible budget cut of $30 million and job losses of more than 660 positions when the Legislature meets starting later this month.

USU President Stan Albrecht said Monday cuts of that size -- or even smaller -- could force the university to declare a major financial crisis for the first time in the school's history.

The Legislature will consider two proposals. The first, proposed by the Legislature itself, would involve a 19 percent budget cut for all of Utah's public higher education institutions. Under that plan USU would lose $30 million and cut its work force by 663 positions over six months.

The other proposal, created by Gov. Jon Huntsman, would mean budget cuts of 11 percent, or $17 million, and 373 job cuts over two-and-a-half years.