UNC Board of Governors member resigns for 'personal reasons'

Darrell Allison, a long-time school choice advocate, had been on the Board of Governors since 2017.

Posted 8:10 p.m. Sep 30, 2020 — Updated 10:36 p.m. Sep 30, 2020

Travis Fain

, WRAL statehouse reporter

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — A member of the University of North Carolina system's Board of Governors resigned suddenly last week, citing only "personal reasons."

Darrell Allison, a long-time school choice advocate in North Carolina, was first appointed to the board in 2017, reappointed last year and had about two-and-a-half years left on his term. He resigned Sept. 23, effective immediately, according to a letter of resignation released by the UNC system.

"And while I am most confident that our UNC System will find its way through the many challenges it currently faces, it must do so without my continued service on this board," Allison wrote, in a letter addressed to Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, who appointed him.

"Therefore, due to personal reasons, I submit my resignation as a member of the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors, effective immediately," the letter states.

The 24 members of the Board of Governors, the university system's policy-making body, are all appointed by the state House and Senate. With the legislature out of session, it's unclear when a replacement will be named, but the board has 23 other voting members.

Allison did not return phone messages Wednesday seeking additional information.

His resignation was not publicly announced. WRAL News confirmed it by requesting his letter of resignation Wednesday after receiving a tip Allison had resigned.

"This opportunity bestowed upon me over three years ago is one that I will cherish for a lifetime," Allison wrote in his letter. "I will be forever grateful."

Correction: This post has been edited to correct the amount of time left in Allison's term.

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