With no dissent, the Penn State trustees' Executive Committee approved formal resolutions early Friday concerning Graham Spanier, Joe Paterno and Rodney Erickson.

The Spanier resolution notes that the full board "determined, and (Spanier) concurred), that it was best for Dr. Spanier to step down as president" effective Nov. 9.

The Paterno resolution notes that, "in the best interest of Penn State, the (trustees) determined that Joseph V. Paterno will no longer serve as head football coach" effective Nov. 9.

And the Erickson resolution notes the appointment of Erickson as university president effective Nov. 9. (Full text of the resolutions is posted below.)

Committee members, attending by phone Friday, voted 8-0 on each resolution. The only committee member absent was Erickson, as "he was one of the topics that was going to be discussed," said university Vice President Bill Mahon.

The full, 32-member Board of Trustees is expected to finalize -- as a matter of procedure -- the Paterno, Spanier and Erickson measures at its regular meeting in January.

Meanwhile, Mahon said the Friday committee meeting "reaffirmed and ratified" decisions the board made on Nov. 9.

The board met that day at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. Board Vice Chairman John Surma announced the departures of Paterno and Spanier -- and the appointment of Erickson -- that night at the hotel.

Since then, open-government advocates have asked whether the board violated the state Sunshine Law in its proceedings. University spokesman Geoff Rushton acknowledged Thursday that "there were concerns" on that front. He said the Friday committee meeting would aim "to remedy any concerns over procedural irregularities."

Speaking with reporters Friday, Mahon said he could not speculate on whether the university believes it violated the state Sunshine Law on Nov. 9.

During the committee meeting, though, board Chairman Steve Garban said the board felt "immediate action was necessary" last month.

"Due to extraordinary circumstances, the Board of Trustees needed to act swiftly and decisively on the personnel matters," Garban said.

(Former assistant football Coach Jerry Sandusky was charged Nov. 5 in an alleged pattern of child sexual abuse. Two longtime university administrators -- Tim Curley and Gary Schultz -- were charged with failure to report and with perjury. All three men have said they are innocent.)

Also during the Friday meeting, Executive Committee member Kenneth Frazier asked about the difference in wording between the Spanier and Paterno resolutions. The nuances are clear in the full resolution text, posted below.

"I don't know of any particular significance of that difference," Surma responded.

In an impromptu media briefing afterward, Paterno's daughter Mary Kay Paterno Hort gathered with reporters who circled around Mahon. (She had attended the committee meeting, as well.)

At one point, Hort asked Mahon which Executive Committee members live locally and could have attended a meeting in person -- rather than by phone.

Mahon said he didn't know off the top of his head.

At another point, a reporter inquired about whether Paterno holds tenure at Penn State. Mahon said he didn't immediately know specifics of Paterno's arrangement on that front.

"Mary Kay may know," Mahon said, turning to Hort.

"No comment," Hort said.

She declined to speak with a reporter afterward.

Mahon reaffirmed to reporters that Spanier retains tenure at Penn State. He understands that Spanier is now on sabbatical and may return to teach at the university, Mahon said.

The Friday committee meeting, advertised in advance and open to the public, began at 8 a.m. at the Nittany Lion Inn and lasted several minutes. Several local, regional and national news organizations had reporters in attendance.

Full text of the resolutions approved Friday is below:

Resolution Regarding Graham B. Spanier

• Resolved, that in view of the situation and unfolding circumstances at Penn State, the Board of Trustees determined, and Dr. Graham B. Spanier concurred, that it was best for Dr. Spanier to step down as president effective Nov. 9, 2011.

Resolution Regarding Joseph V. Paterno

• Resolved, that in the best interest of Penn State, the Board of Trustees determined that Joseph V. Paterno will no longer serve as head football coach effective Nov. 9, 2011.

Resolution Appointing Rodney A. Erickson as President of The Pennsylvania State University

• Resolved, that the Board of Trustees hereby appoints Dr. Rodney A. Erickson as President of The Pennsylvania State University effective Nov. 9, 2011.

Further resolved, that the Board of Trustees affirms its complete confidence and support of President Erickson, who accepted the challenge to lead the university at this important time, and believes that he will provide the necessary stability and direction as we pursue our university's land-grant mission of education, research and outreach.

Related coverage

• StateCollege.com's earlier and ongoing coverage of the Penn State-charges situation