Gov. Charlie Crist had the Board of Governors and university presidents over to the mansion Wednesday night for a reception, and the mood was cordial on the surface but a bit tense underneath.

After all, they're facing $147-million in budget cuts -- and today will consider unprecedented enrollment cuts and other measures like widespread faculty layoffs.

So Crist, ever the host, mingled as university officials and BOG members sipped wine and soda and snacked on hors d'ouvres and brownies. Reporters from Time magazine and the Washington Post hung back, watching and taking notes.

Board chairwoman Carolyn Roberts gave Crist a BOG lapel pin and thanked him for his support. He stressed that the universities are crucial to the state of Florida's success, and he joked that somehow these people at his party changed his mind last go-around and got him to raise tuition.

But the laughter faded when he said that he doesn't want to see another hike this year. Bills are already mounting for families, he said, and he'd hate to make their lives even more difficult.