ECC Becomes a University
Articles printed in the Greenville Daily Reflector and Roanoke Rapidds Herald regarding East Carolina College becoming a university. These and other articles may be found in the records of the Chancellor's Office, Record Group CH1050, Series 1, Scrapbook File, 1914-1978 in the University Archives.
Citation for these articles are: "ECC Becomes a University," Greenville Daily Reflector, June 29, 1967.
"ECU Wins Its Battle," Roanoke Rapids Herald, June 30, 1967
ECC Becomes a University
RALEIGH -- The State Legislature today approved a bill which will elevate East Carolina College to university status July 1.
The bill, passed by the House 81-29 late this morning was concurred in by the Senate shortly after it re-convened at 2 o'clock this afternoon.
The Senate concurred by voice vote at 2:46 p.m. today.
The final Senate action was required because of the House adopted amendment which included N.C. A and T as a regional university.The new law also grants regional university status to Western Carolina and Appalachain.
Sen. John Henley originally introduced the bill in the Senate to create a system of regional universities.It would have granted this status to East Carolina with provisions for other institutions to apply later.Amendments were approved in the Senate to include Western Carolina and Appalachain.
The Senate and the House Calendar Committee turned down amendments to include A and T. However, an amendment on the House floor to include the Greensboro institution was approved 61-50.
Sponsors of the bill in the House, who Wednesday labeled the A & T amendment an attempt to kill the proposed system, reversed their position today and welcomed the college into the bill.
Reps. Ike Andrews, D-Chatham, and R.D. McMillan, D-Roberson, both members of the board of trustees of the Consolidated University of North Carolina, strongly opposed creation of a new university system.
A number of Piedmont representatives who voted for the A & T amendment yesterday went with the full bill today.
However, C.W. Phillips, who offered the amendment, said all things considered he would have to vote against the bill.So did Rep. James Exum of Guilford.
Rep. Jim Beatty of Mecklenburg said he felt the benefits having a university would derive to all parts of North Carolina.He said he felt the move was a step in the right direction for long range benefits to the state.He voted in favor.
ECU Wins Its Battle
RALEIGH (UPI) -- Today North Carolina has four new universities and a whole new system of higher education -- regional universities.
The General Assembly Thursday passed into law a bill which creates the new universities -- East Carolina University, Western Carolina University, Appalachain State University and North Carolina A & T University.
The battle which raged throughout the session over whether to create any new universities or change the present form of higher education in any way ended in victory for the forces led by ECU advocates.
Standing opposed to the new concept was the administration of Gov. Dan K. Moore. The governor pleaded for the lawmakers to leave higher education alone until the special long-range study now underway can be completed as scheduled in August, 1968, and its recommendations made known to the 1969 General Assembly.
At present North Carolina has a one-university concept and the University of North Carolina and its branches are the only schools allowed to offer the doctor's degree.
The new universities -- charged primarily with providing teachers for North Carolina public schools -- cannot award the doctor's degree but can provide six-year programs and masters degrees.
They can also conduct research with an eye toward expanding that role.
The whole new system is to be reviewed by the State Board of Higher Education by 1972 and it is charged with recommending to the 1973 General Assembly as to the future role the regional universities should play in higher education. But proponents and opponents alike agree regional universities are here to stay.
One of the most interesting aspects of the new system is, "where did it come from?" Sen. John Henley, D.-Cumberland, who introduced the bill, says it was strictly his idea.
But Henley is a good friend of former Gov. Terry Sanford and admits that he talked to Sanford while drafting the plan.
