Academics at Warwick University have warned that plans for a new e-learning system could cost millions of pounds in staff time, writes Tony Tysome.

The university is consulting staff and students on its proposed e-strategy that includes an e-learning development unit promoting new technology use in every department, unmetered connection to the internet and intranet from all campus student bedrooms, and student access to all university web resources, e-learning materials and administration.

Student protests have already forced Warwick to drop its proposal to require all first-year students to own a laptop computer.

Now academics have raised concerns over the potential cost of the proposals and the impact it might have on jobs and the quality of teaching and research.

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Ken Flint, director of undergraduate studies in biological sciences, said putting enough learning material online could take a member of staff three years and cost £100,000 per department.

"I do not think we can continue to be a great research or teaching university if we are taking up all that staff time, unless we can hire more staff to do the job," he said.

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Dr Flint, who is president of Warwick's Association of University Teachers, also voiced concerns about potential job losses.