In a nod to recent budget cuts slowing effect on graduation rates, academic advisers at SF State discouraged students from taking on double-majors at a Dec. 5 transfer student orientation on campus.

“This is obviously something we’ve had to do differently than before because of budget cuts,” said SF State peer adviser Cheriena Call. “We’ve had to mention that adding another major or minor is something you might want to rethink because it’s going to take a lot of extra time and money.”

The most recent financial shortfall at SF State resulted in about 150 sections being dumped from the spring schedule of classes.

Eric Contreras, an incoming junior from City College of San Francisco who attended Friday night’s orientation, knew of the class cuts but was determined to attend SF State.

“It’s close to my house, and I have to get my Bachelor of Science degree,” said Contreras. “You can’t get that at City College.”

About 250 new juniors and seniors attended Friday evening’s orientation event hosted by Karen Kingsbury, director of new student programs.

“We will give the same service as always to the new students,” she said. “For fall 2009, we may see fewer freshmen than we have seen before because of the enrollment limits, but we will try to take care of whoever comes.”