In 1972, when all 16 public senior institutions were placed under one Board of Governors, President Friday called for the creation of a Faculty Assembly. There had been a Faculty Advisory Council within the old six-campus consolidated University of North Carolina, and the new assembly was to be an enlarged successor to that previous body.

By October, 1972, all 16 constituent institutions had ratified the Charter for the Assembly. The first meeting of the delegates was held on December 2, 1972. John Sanders, then Vice President for Planning, presided as interim chair. A second meeting was held on January 6, 1973, to begin discussions of a set of by-laws for the Assembly. Henry C. Cooke from North Carolina State University was then elected chair pro tem. Professor Cooke presided over a special meeting held on January 27, 1973, for the purpose of debating and proposing revisions of Chapter VI of The Code.

At its fourth meeting, held on February 23, 1973, the Assembly adopted its Bylaws and elected Professor Cooke to serve as chair until July 1, 1974. The following faculty have served as Assembly chairs:

• Henry C. Cooke - (NCSU) - 1973-1974
• Henry C. Ferrell - (ECU) - 1974-1976
• Vincent M. Foote - (NCSU) - 1976-1977
• Roy Carroll - (ASU) - 1977-1979 (January)*
• Helen M. Caldwell - (ECSU) - Feb. - June, 1979
• Shirley C. Browning - (UNCA) - 1979-1981
• Alan J. Houser - (ASU) - 1981-1984
• James LeRoy Smith - (ECU) - 1984-1986
• Betty Jo Welch - (UNCW) - 1986-1987 (May)**
• Meada Gibb - (NCA&T) - 1987-1988
• Fred Hinson - (WCU) - 1988-1990
• Kathleen Kowal - (UNCW) 1990-1991
• Ken Wilson - (ECU) - 1991-1993
• William Kane - (WCU) - 1993-1995
• Peter Petschauer - (ASU) - 1995-1997
• Laura Gasaway - (UNCCH) - 1997-1999
• Keith Howell - (UNCG) - 1999-2001
• Richard Veit - (UNCW) - 2001-2003
• Jeff Passe - (UNCC) - 2003-2005
• Brenda Killingsworth - (ECU) - 2005-2008