October 1, 1948

Acting President Draughon reported that the large veteran enrollment had increased the school's operating revenue, but these resources could not be counted on in the long run.

November 23, 1950

Draughon reported that Auburn and other white colleges should "look forward to possible action in the courts on the question of admission of Negroes." The presidents of Auburn, Alabama, and other white schools had met with the presidents of the black colleges "to help them develop professional and graduate programs to meet the demands of Negro applicants." They had supported the black colleges in putting together legislative programs to meet their demands for graduate and professional schools. He urged that this be done "regardless of cost," but feared that it would not "meet the requirements of the recent Supreme Court decisions."

October 12, 1951

Draughon proposed that Auburn offer the doctoral degree "in a limited number of fields at the earliest possible moment." He also stressed the importance of the API board maintaining control over appointments and salaries of county extension agents. Apparently, some county boards of revenue wanted to raise their agents' salaries above the scale approved by the board of trustees.

November 7, 1952

Draughon claimed that API had growing respect as an institution of higher learning because the state had realized that it was "an educational instrument rather than a political instrument." The school was subject to politics, but it operated within this realm "without partisanship, and without commitments." It "must be free of internal dissension" and "personal ambition." Furthermore, the school's ills were due to its own failures, not "the machinations and designs of other educational institutions."

October 30, 1953

Draughon reported regarding an on-going study of extension personnel, one purpose of which was to discontinue the present system of maintaining two farm agents in some counties. The same would be true for home demonstration agents. The president believed that both white and black farmers would be better served in this fashion. The charge had been made that Auburn was being changed from a traditional land-grant institution to some unspecified type of educational enterprise. He noted that no new curricula had been added since forestry in 1946. Draughon's philosophy had been to build vertically on existing strengths rather than horizontally into new fields. He further denied the charge that agriculture and engineering had not been treated fairly.

November 9, 1956

During the past year, Auburn had "lived in considerable financial uncertainty." Quarterly installments of funds appropriated by the legislature had been prorated. That seemed possible for the coming years, as well, unless the state took some emergency action. Draughon had requested increased support from the last regular session of the legislature, but the governor's request for education slightly reduced that amount. "The subsequent failure of the Goodwyn Amendments eventually resulted in a Special Legislative Session in which Auburn's appropriations were materially reduced."

November 1, 1957

During the past year, the Board Committee on Academic Freedom, Tenure, and Responsibility produced a policy statements on these matters and a revised faculty contract which had "met with general approval."

November 7, 1958

During the past year, Auburn had to cope with "such problems as proration of appropriated funds, accreditation difficulties,...athletic penalties,...and the protection of the institution from unwarranted interference from forces outside its walls." David W. Mullins, executive vice president, had spent considerable time during the past year serving on a 21-member State Education Commission, which had been charged by the legislature to study the state's present educational program at all levels and to project needs for the coming decade.

October 30, 1959

Draughon reported that the official name of the school would change to Auburn University as of January 1, 1960. During the past year, a special session of the legislature "provided for great improvement in the educational system of our state at all levels." Draughon expressed particular thanks to Governor Patterson "for his firm and inspired leadership" and to those members of the House and Senate "who provided long-needed funds for improvement."

October 6, 1961

Draughon complained that Auburn was handicapped by continued proration of state appropriations, which created a sense of crisis management. Inflation also "harassed" the university "in its efforts to maintain programs of excellence." Draughon hoped that "some day...the people of Alabama" would realize that the "salvation" of the state's youth depended upon "effective education."

November 9, 1962

Draughon expressed thanks to Governor John Patterson and the legislature for their efforts in behalf of higher education during the past four years. Auburn had doubled the value of its physical plant and held its own in faculty salaries relative to other southeastern universities. The new administration and legislature were scheduled to take office in January.

November 1, 1963

Govenor Wallace and the legislature provided Auburn with an increase of approximately $1,710,000 during the current fiscal year. This represented a 21.3 percent increase in state support. This new support would allow Auburn to increase faculty salaries relative to other land-grant universities. Despite this increase, Draughon predicted that faculty salaries would remain below the national average for comparable universities.

1963-64

Draughon praised Auburn's "orderly and dignified compliance with court ordered integration." It was, he said, "most reassuring to live in a community where quiet dignity and restraint" prevailed.

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