I SUPPOSE I could say I owe my current job to the University of York.

I worked there for seven years before having to move on to the University of Manchester due to lack of research funding.

In light of the debate about York University's expansion plans, I would just like to add that the number of jobs created by this scheme might not be as large as the university's public relations personnel would have us believe.

Certainly even if the jobs appear in the numbers promised, I would like to know just how long they will last. During my seven years with York University I had at least eight contracts ranging in duration from two weeks to 20 months. In comparison my present contract in Manchester is for three years.

Of course there will always be a need for cleaning, catering and estates staff, but these are likely to be the only long-term jobs created apart from a handful of lecturing positions.

Maybe if York University wishes to expand it should take a leaf out of my current employer's book? The University of Manchester recently expanded by merging with my former employer the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST). No green belt has been destroyed to accommodate this and the new building work that is currently underway is all on brownfield sites.

Perhaps Heslington could be spared more degradation if the university could find someone to merge with, take over or be taken over by?

Richard Greaves,

Morehall Close, York.

Updated: 10:58 Wednesday, April 20, 2005