CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Students called Friday for Chancellor Holden Thorp to remain in charge of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but Thorp told them he hasn't changed his mind about resigning.

Thorp announced Monday that he would step down at the end of the 2012-13 school year and return to being a chemistry professor at the school. Since then, UNC-Chapel Hill faculty, employees and trustees have all adopted resolutions calling on him to reconsider.

Students rallied on the steps of South Building at UNC-Chapel Hill, signing a petition that rolled down the steps and out into the quad to show their support for Thorp and ask him to stay on as chancellor. Many also held up signs that read "Keep Holden On."

Thorp, 48, said he was flattered by the students' thoughts but said he doesn't plan to change his mind.

"I'm confident that it's in the best interest of the university, me and my family for me to go back to the faculty next fall," he said.

Thorp has been chancellor for four years, the last two of which have been marred by athletic, academic and administrative scandals. He said Monday that he wants to spend his final months on the job putting policies and procedures in place so that similar problems don't recur.

The UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees will hold its regular meeting next week, when it will discuss the search for a new chancellor.