of a no confidence vote against College chairman Randy Horton and president George Cook by a rebel group of staff and students.

And the body representing lecturers as well as the student government lined up alongside Mr. Horton by distancing themselves from the protest.

Mr. Horton -- flanked by the College Board of Governors -- said that many of the problems brought up by the rebels were already being tackled.

He was speaking after the rebels staged a `town hall' meeting on the Stonington Campus on Thursday to hammer home their fears over the College's future.

Mr. Horton said: "At that meeting the Faculty Association disassociated themselves from the petition handed to Dr. Cook and myself.

"Additionally, the student Government expressed their concern that they were not a party to the document, although they did say they had concerns, as did the Faculty Association.'' The rebels complained of a lack of leadership, plummeting morale and spiralling debt -- said to total $1.8 million, mostly due to losses at the College's Stonington Beach Hotel.

But Mr. Horton said: "Certainly, we would not speak on issues which are going to the courts.'' He added: "Maybe we haven't done a fine enough job in bringing everyone on board in terms of that university college project.

"We certainly would like to see us move towards a four-year degree-granting institution.

"But we will work with the faculty and the staff, as well as people outside the College community.'' Mr. Horton added that; A succession plan would be in place by the end of the year A search for a new president would begin next month.

A new human resources manager would be announced next month.

Mr. Horton said that the board -- while prepared to accept criticism -- were angry at the methods used by the rebels to make their point.

He added: "Several members are particularly indignant because they have spent many days on the campus enquiring about specific concerns.