Texas A&M President Elsa Murano will resign her post Monday and return to a faculty position pending the Board of Regents approval, this according to a statement released Sunday on behalf of the president.

A spokesperson for the A&M System confirmed that the System had received her notice of resignation, which was first reported at KBTX.com.

"The events of recent weeks have been very taxing for the entire Aggie family," Murano said in her statement. "The faculty, students and staff have demonstrated incredible loyalty to this institution, upholding our Aggie values during these exceedingly trying times.

"My husband Peter and I fell in love with Texas A&M the moment we set foot in Aggieland back in 1995," she continued. "This deep and abiding passion for what the university represents, and for the people of the Aggie family, reinforces my duty to do what is best for Texas A&M. For this reason, I will be resigning as President of our beloved university, effective tomorrow, June 15, 2009, to return to the faculty, subject to approval by the Board of Regents."

Regents had noted Murano would be discussed at a special meeting of the board Monday. Following an executive (closed door) session, regents have the option to take action on anyone discussed, including System employees.

"Dr. Murano has served the university with distinction over the course of her career" said Morris E. Foster, chairman of The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, in a statement released Sunday night. "I want to thank her for her service and commitment to the betterment of the university, its faculty and its students."

Chancellor Mike McKinney also added his comments on the System statement.

"We look forward to having Dr. Murano rejoin our faculty and continue her nationally recognized work in food science," he said.

The press secretary for Rick Perry passed along the sentiments of the governor, who said he appreciates President Murano's service to Texas A&M and her dedication to her job.

Murano has been at the center of discussions for the past few weeks. As it emerged that there had been some discussion of a combining of the posts of A&M president and A&M System chancellor, Murano's first annual job performance assessment came to light.

McKinney graded Murano poorly on a number of categories in his review, including on her follow through, decisive action, honesty and being a team player.

Murano responded with a sharp rebuke of the McKinney review, both of which you can read by clicking on the documents link above this story.

News 3 also reported Saturday that Murano had met with key members of her team over this weekend in order to thank them for their service during her administration.

Murano became the first woman, first Hispanic and youngest president of Texas A&M when she was confirmed by the Board of Regents in January 2008.

Her presidency will also go down as one of the shortest in history. Her resignation Monday will come on the 530th day of her presidency. Only the third A&M president, James Reid Cole, had a shorter tenure, but only because the A&M Board dissolved the presidency in favor of the position of Chairman of the Faculty. Cole served 24 days.

The following is Murano's statement, as released by a media firm on behalf of Murano and her attorneys, Glickman, Carter & Bachynsky, LLP:

“The events of recent weeks have been very taxing for the entire Aggie family. The faculty, students and staff have demonstrated incredible loyalty to this institution, upholding our Aggie values during these exceedingly trying times. I am truly grateful for the countless expressions of support that I have received from our faculty, staff, current and former students, and friends of Texas A&M. I cannot adequately express how much I have appreciated your many letters, phone calls, e-mails, and especially your prayers. They have been truly uplifting and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

“Our university is strong and I know that we will weather this storm. I sincerely hope and pray that we will intensify our efforts to protect and enhance Texas A&M’s reputation. I trust that the important issues raised in recent weeks will be addressed in the Aggie way – with integrity, selfless service and indomitable spirit. God bless you all, and gig ‘em!”

News 3 will be streaming the Board of Regents Meeting Live on KBTX.com starting at 9:00 a.m. on Monday.

Click Here to view the stream. (Please note:link will not work until the meeting begins.)