PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The University of Rhode Island is eliminating four NCAA Division I sports programs to deal with state budget cuts.

The school announced today that it will discontinue men's swimming, men's tennis and field hockey to shave $800,000 from the athletic budget for the upcoming 2009 fiscal year. URI had announced earlier it was dropping gymnastics.

Athletic director Thorr Bjorn called the decisions "difficult and painful." He said the department also is considering layoffs and early retirements, as well as generating more revenue.

URI is dealing with a $12 million drop in state funding and asked departments to cut their budgets by 10 percent.

Administrators said at an annual media breakfast on Friday they also are considering investing in fewer majors and establishing a single tuition rate for in-state and out-of-state students.