CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon State University officials say they plan to cut $13.4 million from the school's current budget.

In a letter to staff, OSU President Ed Ray and Provost Sabah Randhawa said they anticipate the school's budget will be reduced by 5 percent as the Legislature works to rebalance the state's budget.

Oregon faces an $850 million shortfall for the current biennium.

"It is important to remember that we are dealing with at least a two-year state budget problem that will have implications long into the future," the letter said.

"This is a time to remind ourselves that there are circumstances that we can control and others beyond our control."

According to the OSU provost's office, the cuts will amount to about $9 million from the school's education and general fund and $4 million in statewide public service programs such as the Extension Service, Agricultural Experimental Stations and Forest Research Laboratory.

Before the fiscal year ends, the budget for the university's Cascades Campus in Bend also will be reduced by an additional $390,000.

To balance the school's budget, a host of cost-cutting measures will be put in place immediately, OSU officials said.

Two of those measures include a policy that will only allow travel at the school's expense if the trip is considered essential and an across-the-board salary freeze with exceptions only for staffers whose pay will increase under contractual obligations

Senior administrators, including Ray and Randhawa ands deans, will have the option of taking four unpaid furlough days this year so long as the days off are approved by a state board.