CALIFORNIA BRIEFING / BERKELEY

UC Berkeley announced plans Tuesday to implement layoffs, a hiring freeze and a possible six-day furlough to help offset what officials described as an “unprecedented” budget shortfall of up to $70 million for the 2009-10 school year.

The campus is facing a $15-million shortfall for this school year and will see $10 million to $20 million in permanent state budget cuts for 2009-10, said Vice Chancellor of Administration Nathan Brostrom.

The campus does not plan to implement involuntary furloughs this school year but “will continue to explore” the possibility of furloughs in 2009-10, Brostrom said. Berkeley is also expanding a program that encourages staff to reduce their hours while keeping benefits.

The UC regents are expected to vote on a fee increase in May.

The state budget proposes a 9.3% fee increase for all UC students, but that figure has not been presented to the regents, UC officials said.

Layoffs are also likely at UCLA, which will face $12.6 million in cuts this fiscal year and $9.7 million in 2009-10, Vice Chancellor Steve Olsen said last week.

-- Catherine Ho