Trade unionists at UCD say opposition is growing to radical restructuring plans tabled by its president, Dr Hugh Brady.
Yesterday a joint meeting of UCD academics represented by Siptu and the Irish Federation of University Teachers passed a motion calling on the college's 400-strong Academic Council to oppose the restructuring plan at a meeting next week.
UCD sources have played down the development. A source close to Dr Brady said the president's plans and his decision to engage in widespread consultation received strong support at a recent meeting of the council.
Under the plan, the number of faculties at UCD would be reduced from 11 to about five. More than 90 separate academic departments would also be replaced or consolidated into about 35 schools.
Staff in various modern-language departments, for example, have been told they could in future be working in a new school of languages with one budget, one head and one administrative structure.
The Governing Body of UCD is due to vote on the plan at the end of this month. With agreement widely expected, Dr Brady hopes to begin consultation on the implementation phase shortly after Easter.
But yesterday unions expressed concern that "implementation of the plan has not been thought through adequately". The group said they would like more concrete proposals before agreeing to anything.
"In order to protect the students' interests, the academics are asking for a detailed plan with a reasonable timetable for discussion. As experienced employees, we've a pretty good idea of what will work and what won't. It seems only sensible to give us the chance to have some input".
There is considerable unease among academic staff that arts and humanities could be sidelined as the college seeks to forge a stronger reputation in the science and research arena.
