The Tertiary Education Union has warned that taking academics out of their offices and making them share space may not be good for staff-student interaction, with students less likely to see supervisors in person and instead resort either to email or not asking questions. Rod Carr , University of Canterbury Vice - Chancellor , has endorsed the idea of office - sharing , or even desk - sharing , for staff within universities in an effort to increase staff - student interaction and reduce the intimidation factor of dark offices with closed office doors . While there are concerns that , if implemented , open - plan offices would create a fragmented environment , decrease productivity and create issues of privacy and confidentiality , it is a sign of the growing momentum behind then current workspace trend .
Rod Carr , University of Canterbury Vice - Chancellor , has endorsed the idea of office - sharing , or even desk - sharing , for staff within universities in an effort to increase staff - student interaction and reduce the intimidation factor of dark offices with closed office doors . While there are concerns that , if implemented , open - plan offices would create a fragmented environment , decrease productivity and create issues of privacy and confidentiality , it is a sign of the growing momentum behind then current workspace trend .