The university might have to reduce services at its Crichton base

It said current funding levels were insufficient for it to sustain the site on a "break-even" basis.

Dumfries MSP Elaine Murray has called on funding bodies to recognise the extra costs of running a remote campus.

However, the Scottish Funding Council has insisted it remains committed to the "vital role" of the Crichton site.

A spokesman for the university confirmed it was looking at scaled-down operations in Dumfries.

This problem is not unique to Glasgow as other universities, such as Heriot Watt, are now providing higher education at sites outwith their main campus Elaine Murray Dumfries MSP

"The University of Glasgow has consistently maintained that further funded places are needed to sustain our provision at Crichton on a break-even basis," he said.

"Since the SFC does not share this view, the university is regretfully having to reconsider its level of activity at Crichton."

He added that the campus was the only part of the university with an underlying deficit.

Options for the university range from the transfer out of courses and facilities to an eventual phased withdrawal from the site.

A wide range of institutions are based on the Dumfries campus

"The interests of students at Crichton are paramount and the university will do its utmost to ensure that students do not experience detriment," said the spokesman.

Dr Murray said it would be highly ironic if Glasgow University moved out just when Dumfries and Galloway College planned to move onto the site.

She called on the funding council to look again at giving extra funds to universities spread over a number of sites.

"I believe that this needs to be addressed by the funding council," she said.

"This problem is not unique to Glasgow as other universities, such as Heriot Watt, are now providing higher education at sites outwith their main campus."

She has written to the university urging it not to close the Crichton campus even if an imminent funding bid is not successful.

Our priority now is to work with all the partners and stakeholders involved in the Crichton Campus to develop a plan for its future SFC statement

The SFC insisted it was fully supportive of the key role the Crichton had to play in the Dumfries and Galloway economy.

"We are already committed to investment of more than �28m at the campus involving Dumfries and Galloway College's relocation to Crichton and in providing facilities for higher education at the site," said a spokesman.

"Our priority now is to work with all the partners and stakeholders involved in the Crichton campus to develop a plan for its future.

"We are working with the Crichton partners to develop a 'route map' of actions to take Crichton forward and hope to announce the details of the plan this spring."

'No impact'

Dumfries and Galloway College principal Tony Jakimciw said any decision by Glasgow University would have "no impact" on its move.

He said the announcement was of concern but still looked forward to the "changing dynamics" and "new opportunities" on the Crichton site.

"All of us at Dumfries and Galloway College are very much looking forward to moving to the Crichton in 2008," he said.