Durham University is carrying out a review of its resident student experience service, affecting housekeepers, caterers, porters and roles in events management.

Trevor Johnston, regional manager for Unison, said about 50 roles were affected and the union had raised concerns with the university.

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He said: "This affects a whole gamut of people who run things and keep the place going.

"Some of our members are really upset by this, particularly some of the part-time women, some of whom have worked there for between 15 and 30 years."

He added: "We worry about how some colleges will cope. How will the work be done? In some colleges they could be cutting half of the staff."

"We are concerned about the viability of student services."

The review comes as the university seeks to increase the number of students to 21,500 by 2027.

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A spokesperson for the university said the review could affect up to 50 roles but said the number of redundancies would not be "nearly as many" as that, with some staff moving to changed jobs.

Pro-vice chancellor Professor Martyn Evans said: “As part of the ongoing work to improve university ways of working, we are currently reviewing residential student experience services within our colleges, which includes catering, portering, housekeeping and events management.

"The purpose of the review is to ensure that our residential student experience services are operating as well as possible and are resilient for the future.We are currently in extensive discussions with both staff and students about the possible impact of the proposals for them, and are following the relevant consultation frameworks.

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“All staff whose roles may be impacted are currently being consulted. Until this process has concluded we are unable to confirm the final shape the proposals will take.

"We will, as always, do all we can to minimise compulsory redundancies."

He added the university was anxious to prevent the spread of "misinformation" , which was causing "unnecessary anxiety".

The business case put forward as part of of review says its objectives include streamlining systems, retaining student-facing services at a "reduced but acceptable" level and reducing operating costs.

Mr Johnston said the union had been aware of the review for some time and agreed with the "high level principle". He added: "When it came to the detail we are not sure it will work.

"They could be losing a vast amount of knowledge. We think it's going to be counter-productive."

Unite, the union, said it would support members impacted by redundancy.

Regional officer Dave Telford said: “All unions represented at Durham University are involved in the consultation procedure regarding the proposed redundancies and Unite will be giving maximum support to any members impacted by redundancy.”

Students have voiced anger at the review.

In an open letter, members of University College’s junior common room said: "We are fully appreciative of the work and dedication that our staff put into our student experience, and we want to reassure them that not only are we thankful for their service, but more importantly, we are actively supporting them.”