Report to the Board of Trustees, February 22, 1929

Knapp appended a report on athletics dated February 13. Apparently, he had been able to smooth over some of the athletic problems that developed during the Dowell administration.

Report to the Board of Trustees, May 19, 1930

Knapp reported that the work of the last two years had been largely expansion of the institution, physically and academically. He noted that the 1927 legislature had approved appropriations for Auburn, Alabama, and Montevallo on a 39-39-22 formula, which appeared to give Auburn and Alabama equivalent amounts. Under this legislation, 25 percent of Auburn's appropriation was earmarked for the Extension Service and Experiment Station. The legislature likewise earmarked 25 percent of Alabama's appropriation for medicine, extension, and research, but gave Tuscaloosa greater flexibility in using these funds. The result was a comparative loss for Auburn. Later, Knapp added that he wanted "to harmonize and coordinate" Auburn's legislative program with that of the University of Alabama.

Report to the Board of Trustees, February 23, 1931

Knapp noted that Auburn fell short "in many particulars." When he came to Auburn, the college had "a lamentable lack of equipment" and poor instructional facilities. He pointed this out to assure the board that his building program had not given Auburn "a lavish supply" of laboratories, classrooms, and other facilities, but only the basics. He further complained that the school's building program had suffered from historic neglect. Recently, though, the state had failed to pay building warrants and the Knapp's building program was curtained.

Report to the Board of Trustees, May 18, 1931

Knapp claimed that 1930-31 had been "the greatest year in the history of the institution," with enrollment at an all-time high, classes overflowing, faculty carrying full loads of work, and equipment and facilities at maximum use. The college received no state funds from July 1930 through February 1931, but Knapp received "the finest cooperation on the part of all concerned and many expressions of good will even in days of difficult financing." But if the financial crisis continued into the next year, Knapp feared either reductions in standards or further neglect of upkeep for the physical plant. The president complained that state appropriations for Auburn were reported in lump sums, which indicated that the college received more than any other institution of higher learning in Alabama. This method failed to indicate that substantial portions of these funds were earmarked for the Extension Service and the Experiment Station.

Report to the Board of Trustees, February 26, 1932

Auburn's financial difficulties began "last summer" and many thought the institution could not survive. Knapp gave primary credit to the faculty for maintaining morale under difficult circumstances. Local merchants and bankers also had been considerate. The president stressed that Auburn's financial problems had nothing to do with mismanagement and everything to do with the state's failure to pay appropriations. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1931, the college had received its state funds in full only for the first quarter. In effect, Auburn was operating on income that it borrowed from its own employees. Knapp urged the board to consider paying interest on back salaries. The alumni account was overdrawn by $18,000+ and the athletic account by $81,000+. These circumstances rendered budget planning for the coming year extremely difficult.

Report to the Board of Trustees, May 12, 1932

Dowell gave the board a confidential report on the financial status of the college, which had not received a full share of its state appropriation since the quarter beginning July 1, 1931. Unless the situation regarding state support should improve, or the college should find financial support elsewhere, the picture appeared grim for 1932-1933: Auburn would be "forced to close."

Report to the Board of Trustees, June 22, 1932

Knapp requested authority for the college to issue certificates of indebtedness against existing state warrants. The board subsequently approved this request.

Report to the Board of Trustees, July 2, 1932

In this his last report to the board, Knapp stressed that Auburn's financial problems would be solved if the state met its obligations. He had exhausted his strength in dealing with the school's finances and regretted that the positive program he had initiated was curtailed by an unexpected disaster.

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