STUDENTS staged a protest march to the headquarters of the University of York against changes to its college porter system.

They claimed that the porters were a vital part of the campus’ welfare network, a deterrent to burglars and thieves and should be on site 24 hours a day, every day, but that their hours have been cut.

But the university said that the changes improved the campus’ security, particularly at night and that the budget for this year had been increased.

A group of about 100 students made their way from Derwent College to Heslington Hall, chanting, banging drums and cymbals. Leading the protest were Tim Ngwena and Ben Humphrys from York University Students’ Union.

The pair said porters were an integral part of the welfare network on campus, being a first point of contact for medical attention and keeping the university’s colleges secure.

Mr Humphrys said: “They always have an ear to the ground. We’ve had break-ins in Derwent recently. Porters deter thieves because if the burglars see people sitting there then they think they’re being watched.”

Mr Humphrys and Mr Ngwena also believed porters helped with room bookings for student societies and that cuts to porter hours meant the loss of a service when rents, they claim, were being increased.

A University of York spokesman said: “Portering and security services are being re-organised and enhanced.

“We are spending more on portering and security in the 2009/10 academic year than in 2008/9, which includes a greater security presence on campus at night.

“We appreciate that students may have concerns but the students’ union, and student representatives of individual colleges were consulted about the plans. We shall assess the new system once any teething problems have been addressed.

“We shall consider ideas and anxieties that students may have, and look forward to a constructive discussion. That is the appropriate forum to resolve any outstanding issues.”