Gayle said the impetus for the campaign came from an e-mail he received from Lowell House tutor Christopher D. Tirres shortly before spring break, informing him that West was leaning towards a move to Princeton.

Gayle said that he then contacted leaders of black and Latino student groups at several of Harvard’s schools.

He and a handful of other students met before spring break to develop a plan of action to convince West to remain at Harvard and came up with the petition.

DuBois Professor of the Humanities Henry Louis “Skip” Gates, Jr. said yesterday he has been urging West to remain at Harvard. Though he said he does not yet know what West’s ultimate decision will be, he said he felt West would appreciate the petition.

“I think it’s wonderful and I hope it’s effective,” Gates said. “Anyone would be moved by this expression of affection.”

—Staff writer Kate L. Rakoczy can be reached at rakoczy@fas.harvard.edu.