Editorial: What did Harry Smith text Margaret Spellings?

UNC-system president Margaret Spellings may leave the system soon, according to multiple sources.

UNC-system Board of Governors member Steve Long recently stated that a major reason former UNC system President Margaret Spellings resigned was the micromanagement she experienced under Board Chairperson Harry Smith.

“He would call her five times a day, text or email 20 times a day,” Long said in an interview with WUNC. “I mean, this is just not what a president of an organization wants from their board chair. And she had had it, and just went back to Texas.”

After a several weeks-long investigation, DTH reporters were able to get their hands on some of the texts Smith sent to Spellings last year. Here is a sample of the messages that drove Spellings out of UNC:

Monday, January 1, 2018

Harry Smith: “New year, same Harry”

Friday, January 19, 2018

Harry Smith: “Happy Confederate Heroes Day!”

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Harry Smith: “got any spring break plans? Me and some of the board members are going to rent a house down in the Dirty Myrtle if you want in”

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Harry Smith: “I’ve been thinking...maybe we should take down Silent Sam?”

Harry Smith: “jk jk”

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Harry Smith: “Harry looks so happy!”

Harry Smith: “Are you watching this? Fairy tale wedding doesn’t do it justice”

Harry Smith: “Kate’s dress was prettier IMO but the criticisms levied at Meghan are just unfair. Her dress is understated but not ‘plain’ like I’m seeing some people claim. It’s certainly more conservative but still looks incredibly luxurious. And that tiara...OMG”

Harry Smith: “Harry crying during ‘Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer’...his mom’s favorite hymn…:’(“

Friday, June 8, 2018

Harry Smith: “Happy national best friends day!”

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Harry Smith: “Melania’s jacket says ‘I don’t really care do u?” LOLOLOLOLOL thinking about getting matching ones for the Board”

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Monday, August 20, 2018

Harry Smith: “another year another protest”

Harry Smith: “don’t think we have to worry about this too much, it’s not like they ever actually do anything”

Harry Smith: “shit”

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Harry Smith: “I was thinking, for Halloween this year we should go as protestors, how funny would that be lol”

Friday, October 26, 2018

Harry Smith: “You’re resigning??? Wtf Margaret???”

Saturday, November 3, 2018

Harry Smith: “hey maggie it’s been like a week since u resigned and i just wanted to say...thank u, next. Bill’s going to be better than you ever were. He just gave me his number so I’ll be texting him now because who needs u”

Harry Smith: “also, that song’s a banger”

Harry Smith: “have you listened to it”

Harry Smith: “Ariana Grande is my spirit animal”