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Governor's Office
Raleigh, North Carolina
January 4, 1956

The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the University
of North Carolina met in special session, after notice duly given, in the
Office of the Governor at Raleigh, at 11:30 A.M., on Wednesday, January 4,
1956, Governor Luther H. Hodges presiding, Arch T. Allen, Secretary. The
following members were present, to-wit: Mr. George Watts Hill, Mr. Victor S.
Bryant, Mr. John W. Clark, Mr. Thomas J. Pearsall, Mrs. May L. Tomlinson,
Mrs. Virginia T. Lathrop, Mr. John W. Umstead, Jr., Mr. Rudolph I. Mintz,
Mr. Reid A. Maynard, Mr. W. Frank Taylor and Mr. Wade Barber.

Governor Hodges stated that he had received a letter from D. Hiden
Ramsey, Chairman of the State Board of Higher Education, stating that the
Board had unanimously elected Dr. J. Harris Purks as Director of the State
Board of Higher Education, subject to the approval of the Trustees of the
University of North Carolina and the release of Dr. Purks as Acting President
of the University. The letter was read to the meeting. Governor Hodges
stated to the meeting that he had requested Mr. Victor S. Bryant, to be pre-
pared to make a report of possible candidates for Acting President in the
event that Dr. Purks tendered his resignation as Acting President to accept
the position as Director of the State Board of Higher Education. Mr. Bryant
then made a full and complete report as to the investigation made by the
Committee of names submitted for consideration as Acting President of the
University, with no definite recommendation as to the action that should be
taken by the Executive Committee.

There followed a full and complete discussion of the matter, with all
members of the Executive Committee participating.

Mr. D. Hiden Ramsey and Mr. Robert C. Lassiter, Jr., of the State Board
of Higher Education, appeared briefly before the Executive Committee.

Dr. J. Harris Purks then appeared before the Executive Committee.

Thereafter, and after full discussion, upon motion of Mr. Umstead,
seconded by Mr. Hill, the following resolution was adopted:

RESOLVED that the resignation of Dr. J. Harris Purks as Acting
President of the University of North Carolina be accepted with regrets,
effective on or before March 1, 1956, and with appreciation for his
outstanding services to the University as Acting President and as
Provost.

This resolution was adopted by the vote of 9 to 2.