The president of the UNC system says he’s upset after learning of a number of emails sent back and forth regarding the hiring of Mary Easley at NC State.

“These e-mails make me sick,” said Erskine Bowles.

The documents detail correspondence between former chancellor James Oblinger, chairman of the board of trustees McQueen Campbell, Provost Larry Nielsen, and Dan Gerlach, a senior aide to then-governor Easley about hiring Mary Easley at N.C. State.

“When I saw the extent of the involvement, it was much more difficult to believe,” said Bowles.

Up until those emails were made public Monday, James Oblinger had repeatedly denied any political pressure was applied to get Mary Easley hired.

Monday also turned out to be Mary Easley’s last day on the job, because the school's boards of trustees fired her.
Following that, her attorney said he was looking at all options as he digests what happened.

“I have not at this time had time to sift through the information to provide you with either a written or verbal statement,” said attorney Marvin Schiller who promised a more specific reaction in a few days.

In the meantime, legislative Republicans called Mrs. Easley’s termination a good start, but said more questions need to be answered.

“The whole issue of how that contract came into being to begin needs to be examined,” said senate GOP leader Phil Berger.

He also said, “The entire administration at N.C. State totally appears to be oblivious to basic right and wrong about things.”

The chair of school's faculty said he wasn't surprised by Mrs. Easley’s firing.

“I think this is the right action, and it confirms a number of the things that many people thought all along,” said Dr. Jim Martin.

But despite the wording of the emails, school officials contend no laws were broken.

“In nothing I’ve examined or we've examined have we seen any criminal intent or any intent to defraud,” claimed N.C. State trustee chairman Bob Jordan.