SFSU will have a major presence in the heart of San Francisco's central business district when a new SFSU Downtown Campus opens at the Westfield Centre in January 2007. College of Business graduate programs and the College of Extended Learning will be key occupants. Westfield Centre is the office component of the $440 million Westfield San Francisco Development under construction at 835 Market St.

The entire sixth floor, and a portion of the fifth floor, will be devoted to University activities and programs related to business, continuing education and community outreach. Two of the University's nine colleges will have a major presence at the Downtown Campus: The entire College of Extended Learning will move from its current location of approximately 50,000 square feet at 425 Market St., and all graduate programs in the College of Business will be located at the new campus. Jointly, the programs serve about 7,700 students per year at the location.

The University's Institute for Next Generation Internet, a catalyst for driving digital media education and economic development, and a satellite office for University Advancement's government and community relations and fundraising departments will also be housed at the Downtown Campus.

The space includes the historic portion of the building that originally comprised the Emporium Department Store. Huntsman Architectural Group is architect for the project, which will involve creating classrooms, computer labs, faculty offices, conference space, meeting rooms and staff offices.

"San Francisco State's alumni drive the region's economy, and it is time for us to have a major academic presence in the heart of the business community," SFSU President Robert A. Corrigan said. "The Westfield Centre offers our business and extended learning students -- many of whom are working professionals -- a location with unparalleled access to public transportation, parking, restaurants and services."

The site is served by BART and Muni, and parking is available at the Fifth and Mission garage.

"An expanded downtown campus will significantly enrich the continuing education opportunities that the College of Extended Learning provides to the San Francisco Bay Area community," said College of Extended Learning Dean Gail Whitaker.

College of Business Dean Nancy Hayes said that moving the MBA programs to the Downtown Campus will serve two purposes. "We will bring our excellent graduate business education to where the market is and free up much-needed space at the main campus to serve our large undergraduate population," she said.

The new Westfield San Francisco Centre is scheduled to open fall 2006. The eight-floor development will be home to the West Coast flagship of Bloomingdale's and the second largest Nordstrom in the country. The Centre will feature a mix of 170 specialty stores and exclusive boutiques, fine dining, an international gourmet marketplace, first-class office space and a nine-screen Century Theatres and CinéArts.

SFSU enrolls nearly 30,000 students per year pursuing bachelor's and master's degrees in eight colleges, and an average of 10,000 students per year completing certificate programs, open university classes and continuing education courses in its College of Extended Learning.

In addition to the main campus located on 141 acres in the southwest corner of San Francisco, SFSU has facilities throughout Northern California for specialized teaching and research. These include the current Downtown Center, the 35-acre Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies in Marin County, and the Sierra Nevada Field Campus located on nine acres in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

-- Ellen Griffin
Images: Courtesy of Westfield Group