August 01, 2003 - A decline in enrollment at the University of California, Berkeley, Extension has prompted the school to close its Laguna Street campus in San Francisco, officials said.

Meanwhile, in a separate announcement, officials at the main Berkeley campus announced Thursday they'll have to trim spending by at least $15 million because of state budget cuts.

The UC Berkeley Extension, however, is financially self-supporting, and officials said the decision to close the Laguna campus had nothing to do with state budget cuts.

Financial constraints are forcing the closure of the campus at 55 Laguna St. at the end of the fall semester.

James Sherwood, dean of UC Berkeley Extension, said officials are hoping to continue offering high-demand courses at another San Francisco facility either owned or leased by the extension.

"We are committed to offering and preserving UC Extension programs in San Francisco," Sherwood said. "We are asking students, staff and instructors to be patient. The majority of the programming will remain."

Officials don't know yet which of the 717 current programs will be preserved, although Sherwood said he will analyze program offerings in the next two months and hopes to keep those that are high-enrollment and generate the most income.

About 90 percent of the extension's income is generated through enrollment fees. Officials said enrollment has declined, partially due to the dot-com bust and other factors, including the recession.

In 2001, officials said the extension generated $48 million in income.

Last year, income dropped to $35 million.

The extension purchased the Laguna Street campus in 1958, and the building requires millions of dollars in repairs to meet current standards for seismic safety and disabled access, Sherwood said. He said he didn't know what would happen to the building when classes end there on Dec. 31, although officials would consider selling or leasing it.

In an unrelated announcement, UC Berkeley Vice Chancellor and Provost Paul Gray said the state budget will translate to about $15 million in cuts at the main campus.

But Gray said the cuts won't jeopardize instructional quality.

He said cuts will target areas that don't directly affect instruction, such as business services, accounting, central support functions and the like.

Gray said most of the reductions will be achieved through the elimination of unfilled positions and by combining functions.

He said some layoffs will also be involved, but the exact number has not been determined.