The ENCAP department is planning a radical shake-up of its staff offices, according to a source within the school.

The proposals, which have not been made public by Cardiff University, will see all Centre for Language and Communication Research (CLCR) administrative staff moved into an open-plan office on the second floor, shared with the Philosophy staff.

Some argue that the move is certain to affect the privacy of key ENCAP staff members, and that this is likely to have a detrimental effect on students.

The availability of an approachable point-of-contact for ENCAP students could be put under threat by the plans, which are reported to be widely opposed by both administrative and academic staff within the department.

A Facebook campaign entitled ‘Save CLCR Office!’ has already been started and is quickly gaining momentum, with almost a hundred students joining the group in a matter of days.

Members have been encouraged to contact Cardiff University Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students, Jonathon Osmond, in order to voice their disapproval over the changes.

An email address has also been set up by ENCAP staff asking students to send in their comments and make their opposition to the changes heard.

Ronen Shayovitz, a doctorate student and year one Philosophy tutor, said: “I, along with many others in Philosophy feel that the move would have a highly detrimental effect on the cohesion of the department and student welfare.”

When contacted by gair rhydd, a member of the ENCAP administrative staff, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “To take the admin offices out of the different school sections would be like ripping out the heart of an animal and putting it on life support: It would function, but it would not be as good as it was previously.

“I worry that students will feel alienated from staff and their course if this move takes place, and would subsequently not want to approach the office if they had any problems – small or big; they all count in our experience at university.”

As another staff member, who also wished to remain anonymous, put it: “As section administrators we are worried that this proposed move might have a detrimental effect on the student experience. We also feel that there will be a negative impact on academic staff as it will be difficult to support them as we do at present when we are located away from them.

“Although we have expressed our concerns on a number of occasions, unfortunately it is looking extremely likely that the move will go ahead. However we will do our very best to ensure that the students and academic staff are not adversely affected.”

First year English student, James Dunn, agrees with the staff members’ criticisms.

“I think this is a terrible idea. I used to work in an office and I don’t see how the paperwork for such a variety of different departments can be steered successfully in this way.”

However, Holy Runt, who is also a first year English student, thinks the plans are a good idea.

“I think it might create a more approachable atmosphere. It would be easier going into a room with lots of people who are relatively relaxed and happy to help than interrupting one person in their own private office.”

A University spokesperson said: “The School of English, Communication and Philosophy is relocating its administrative offices in order to ensure that the excellent service provided by the staff who support various degree programmes can be sustained and enhanced in the face of the increasingly complex demands of providing administrative services to a large multidisciplinary school.

“Moving the eight programme administrators from separate offices spread across floors one, two and five of the Humanities Building to one large location, next to the School Academic Manager and Academic Support Officer, will enable them all to work more closely and effectively as a team.”

They added: “The decision to make this move has been taken after a lengthy review of our support systems as a whole, through full discussion with our administrative staff and those in other Schools who have undergone similar processes, and with a careful regard for the needs of academic colleagues and students. The practical details of the proposed office plan are still under discussion and will be communicated to students as soon as they are confirmed.

“The School remains committed to the attentive personalised service that its administrators provide to students. The School is designing the environment so as ensure that administrators will remain accessible to students and colleagues in their various programme areas. It will take into account the need to allow for space for private meetings, and the creation of a flexible and welcoming working arrangement.”

Academic and University Affairs Officer, Michaela Neild, said that the University had not made her aware of this issue, but advised anyone wishing to voice their opinion to search for the Facebook group or email encap-changes@cardiff.ac.uk.