A petition calling for the appointment of Interim President Ray Kieft to the post on a permanent basis was presented to the Board of Trustees Wednesday. Board of Trustees Chairman Bruce Benson said the petition will not derail the college from continuing with its nationwide search, despite the board's satisfaction with Kieft's performance.

"We made it clear we would do a national search and we would be breaking our word if we stopped that process," Benson said, adding that Kieft is welcome to apply for the post.

Petition supporters said they had gathered more than 200 signatures from faculty, staff and administrators in support of Kieft. "The college would benefit from the type of leadership that Dr. Kieft would provide," the petition states.

Kieft has said he hasn't yet decided whether he will apply for the permanent job.

National advertising for the position has just begun and as of last Wednesday, 10 applications have been submitted for the job. In addition to the Denver Post and the Denver Business Journal, are being placed in the Chronicle of Higher Education, Black Issues in Higher Education, Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education and the Affirmative Action Register.

"I would suspect that in two weeks we'll see the bulk of applications," said Search Advisory Committee Chair John Buechner.

Applications and nominations are "strongly urged" to be submitted by March 10, although the search committee will continue to review applications until the position is filled.

"You all have networks. You all have friends," Benson told the audience. "I encourage you to keep spreading the word."
The position specification is available online at http://www.mscd.edu/welcomectr/trustees/pres_search/index.htm.