The Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) will temporarily suspend its tour program beginning Mar. 1.

According to SLAC’s Web site, large construction projects and 2008 federal budget cuts precipitated the program’s suspension. The budget cuts are already responsible for some 200 layoffs at the world-renowned research facility according to the Jan. 14 Daily article “Short on funds, SLAC cuts jobs.”

Along with carrying out new construction, the center will be moving its main focus from high energy physics to photon science which, according to SLAC’s Web site, necessitates a revamping of the tour program so it better reflects the research taking place.

The tour is slated to return in 2009. Until then, the center will continue its quarterly public lectures, as well as tours during the University’s graduation weekend.