PORTLAND (AP) — An Oregon university official is pleading with state lawmakers to release $28 million for salaries that has been withheld as a hedge against an economic downturn.

In all, state legislators withheld $125 million for state employee pay raises, about $28 million bound for faculty and staff pay at the state’s seven four-year universities.

“It’s really quite urgent because students are signing up for classes now,” said Dave Frohnmayer, who earlier in the week said he would retire next year as president of the University of Oregon.

Frohnmayer said enrollment applications have jumped significantly, and the university expects at least 200 more freshmen this year than last year. That would put enrollment close to a record 20,600. The university’s share of the salary money is $5 million.

Frohnmayer spoke to the state Board of Higher Education on Friday, saying the action to release the money should come at a meeting next month of the Legislative Emergency Board.

Legislators have withheld the money out of caution over the current economic downturn. Revenues are now expected to be less than was estimated when the budget was approved last year, and if the shortfall exceeds what can be made up with reserves, legislators may be forced to reduce or eliminate the pay increase package.

The 20-member emergency board hears budget matters when the full Legislature is not in session.

Frohnmayer said campuses will need to make their new hires well before September if they are to have enough staff to handle higher enrollments, and universities are already accepting students based on the pay package approved by the Legislature in 2007.