UC-BERKELEY'S ATTEMPT to prevent an outbreak of SARS is not the reasonable policy one would expect from an institution of the university's caliber. The university last week barred all students from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore -- the areas most affected by SARS -- who were to begin summer session classes at the Berkeley campus.

Although severe acute respiratory syndrome should not be taken lightly, we believe UC's policy was an over-reaction to the health concerns raised by the disease. UC-Berkeley is the only college or university in the United States that has implemented such a radical policy.

The outcry -- especially from Asian-American civil rights groups including the San Francisco-based Chinese for Affirmative Action and the Asian Law Caucus -- was not unexpected.

By week's end, UC found the necessary housing for the visiting scholars and modified its policy: allowing some 80 students from those Asian areas to attend summer classes because they are enrolled in core academic classes that begin May 27; and Singapore was dropped from the list. The rest of the 500 to 600 students were enrolled in English as a Second Language courses at UC Extension.

The disease was first discovered in Asia, but it has not spread unfettered across the Pacific. The precautions taken by Asian countries, the World Health Organization, airlines, international airports and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention seem adequate to prevent an outbreak in the United States. So far, no SARS fatalities have occurred in this country.

UC makes the assumption that its health facilities would be overwhelmed by an outbreak of SARS. In actuality, out of a group of 600, only 20 cases could be expected, according to California health authorities; surely within the university's capabilities. The indiscriminate barring of students from those SARS-affected areas feeds the irrational fears that have already resulted in a drop in visitors to Bay Area Chinatowns and business activity with Asian-owned companies.

The policy also gives a mistaken impression that there is a ban in place and students from Asia are not welcome. "Nothing could be further from the truth,'' said UC-Berkeley Chancellor Robert Berdahl. Nevertheless, the perception mars the high regard of the university in Asia and threatens the steady stream of brain power that links UC-Berkeley and that part of the world.

One should not condemn a whole country for the illness of a few. Otherwise, why not ban all students from Africa out of a fear of AIDS, or all British students because of "mad cow disease"? We expect a more reasoned response from one of the world's great centers of learning.

No similar bans have been placed on students entering the university this fall and we hope that doesn't prove necessary. In the meantime, students from Hong Kong, Taiwan and China should be allowed to attend summer classes in Berkeley this July.