Vice Chancellor Derec Llwyd Morgan said he could not discuss the case

It has been announced that the University of Wales, Aberystwyth will not appoint another lecturer to replace Professor John Rowlands, who retires from his post at the Welsh department this summer.

The university's Welsh Students Union, UMCA, claims this will mean the department will be unable to organise a course in Modern Wales Studies next year.

The row has broken out two weeks after it was revealed that Prince William may come to Aberystwyth to study Welsh when he finishes his first degree.

There is an increasing restlessness among students because there aren't enough modules being taught in Welsh Catrin Dafydd, student president

The University's Vice Chancellor and Principal, Derec Llwyd Morgan, welcomed the possibility of attracting the prince, who is second in line to the throne, to Aberystwyth.

Prince Charles studied Welsh at the university before his investiture as Prince of Wales in 1969.

But UMCA says the principal should not be so enthusiastic about the prospect of the prince's stay if the Welsh department faces cut-backs.

Status eroded

"The Welsh department is losing out even though there will be a 26% increase in students coming here to study in September," said Catrin Dafydd, UMCA president.

"Obviously this means that current students and the department itself are angry at this decision."

Ms Dafydd added that not enough subjects were taught through the medium of Welsh at the university's other departments.

"There is an increasing restlessness among students because there aren't enough modules being taught in Welsh," she said.

Prince William may study at Aberystwyth

UMCA also claims the status of the Welsh language is being eroded at the university and that the college is not sticking to its language plan.

"An extra clause was recently inserted in the plan stating that Welsh language provision would not be reduced," said Ms Dafydd.

"The university has made a hollow promise to the Welsh department and the university's students."

Prof Llwyd Morgan refused to comment about the changes.

"I am sure you will understand that I cannot talk about individual posts in public," he said.