This Day in the History of the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Nelson Ferebee Taylor assumed the duties of chancellor. A 1942 graduate of the University, Taylor served as chancellor from 1972 to 1980. A reading room in Davis Library is named for him.

Former president and university alumnus Frank Porter Graham died in Chapel Hill.

Richard Epps became the first African American student body president at the University. Although campus elections were held on February 29, Epps was not declared the winner until March 2 due to computer problems and a possible runoff.

William Clyde Friday was elected president of the University of North Carolina (multi-campus system). Prior to the creation of the system, he served as president of the Consolidated University of North Carolina from 1956 to 1972.

Under the Higher Education Reorganization Act of 1971, the University of North Carolina (multi-campus system) expanded to include sixteen institutions.

Newspapers reported the retirement of North Carolina Symphony conductor Benjamin Franklin Swalin, who also had served as a professor of music at the University.

The Board of Governors for the newly formed University of North Carolina (multi-campus system) held its first meeting, which was hosted by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.