Report to the Board of Trustees, February 1921

The president had met with Wallace Buttrick of the General Education Board and submitted a request for funds to increase faculty salaries, add new faculty, and add facilities. As of July 1, 1920, the college had an outstanding indebtedness of $73,000. The legislature recently had appropriated $65,000, which Dowell intended to use for debt liquidation when it became available.

Report to the Board of Trustees, May 1921

Dowell reported that the long and distinguished service of Thach had made the job of his successor "delicate and difficult." The situation was made more difficult by the disrepair of buildings and equipment, the college debt, and meager faculty salaries paid in quarterly installments. He repeated a statement made in his inaugural address: the college was "facing the slow disintegration that inevitably" followed "a long period of undernourishment." He believed that the state should appropriate $2 million for a building program during the next quadrennium, plus a corresponding increase for maintenance and support. The president justified this request based upon API's contribution, past and potential, to the state's industrial development; the state's relative lack of support for the institution in the past; and the college's responsibility not only for teaching, but also for research and extension. In addition to the state appropriation, Dowell called for a $2 million endowment campaign. In conclusion, Dowell stated that the work for the past year had "fallen somewhat below the standard" he had set, but the college community had made progress "both in our attitude toward each other and toward our work."

Report to the Board of Trustees, February 1923

A new governor had taken office and some new trustees had been appointed. The school suffered a loss with the resignation of football coach Mike Donahue, which was "viewed with alarm by practically the entire study body and a large majority of the alumni." Dowell recommended that all athletic funds be placed in the college treasury, a move which would "provoke some objections," but result in better management. The endowment fund drive, under the direction of Charles F. DeBardeleben, had received pledges of approximately $700,000. The president commended Governor Brandon's plans for a millage tax that would be "divided equally between the elementary and normal schools...and the four institutions of higher learning," but he objected to "the proposed inclusion of the funds for the Extension Service and the Experiment Station in the millage tax." He recommended that the millage tax not be tied up with other appropriations the state made in cooperation with the federal government.

Report to the Board of Trustees, May 1923

Dowell noted that in conducting the work of the Extension Service and Experiment Station some clashes were inevitable. Sometimes, it was "necessary to accept the resignations of this or that individual and to decline to give positions to those who seek employment." Sometimes, there were those who sought "to use the machinery and influence of the Extension Service for selfish or personal ends." Dowell also noted that the time had come to decide whether Auburn would be "a great institution" or "a second rate institution." He was "unwilling to accept the responsibility for the continuance of the present deplorable situation that confronts the college without the strongest protest" he could "reasonably make." He predicted that the college would "find itself in a critical financial condition" unless the legislature made a special appropriation. Regarding Governor Brandon's proposed millage tax, Dowell noted that elementary could would receive the millage in addition to their current appropriations, while institutions of higher learning would receive the millage tax, but lose their current appropriations. He stated that this should be well understood "in the interest of fairness and concert of action." There had been "constant difficulty and unpleasantness in reaching a basis of division among the institutions of higher learning."

Report to the Board of Trustees, February 1924

Dowell criticized the frenzy over football, which existed among students, alumni, and the general public. While he believed that athletics could make a contribution to a student's education, he feared that it caused too many to loose sight to the true aims of higher education. The college continued its financial plight, with no hope in sight other than raising fees. Dowell considered raising fees to prohibitive levels undemocratic, but recommended a slight increase to cover basic needs.

Report to the Board of Trustees, February 1925

Dowell referred to an unsuccessful football season and "other unexpected developments" as negative factors in the life of the college.

Report to the Board of Trustees, June 1925

Given the financial needs of the college, Dowell recommended limiting enrollment. Without more money for facilities and faculty, which he did not foresee coming from the legislature, the college could not provide proper training for additional students.

Report to the Board of Trustees, February 1926

API had reached a saturation point with enrollment, which Dowell thought should concern every Alabama citizen. Three members of the coaching staff had resigned at the end of the last year. The record compiled by the football team was "creditable," but no more.

Report to the Board of Trustees, June 1926

Dowell noted that the current political campaign might arouse bitter feelings and leave scars. He feared that "thoughtful and confident leaders" would find themselves in opposing groups, which would prevent the legislature from addressing educational problems. Furthermore, the legislature had never been impressed by the needs of higher education. Even the "informed public" had been "too modest in its demands" for higher education. This was "a solemn and pathetic fact" which could not be refuted.

Report to the Board of Trustees, February 1927

A new governor and legislature had been elected. Dowell directed his report primarily to them as an appeal for relief from the school's "static financial support in the face of rising attendance." The president reported on the work of the legislative committee of the Alabama Education Association, which was chaired by the state superintendent of education. Through this group, Auburn, Alabama, and Montevallo had reached an agreement regarding division of the state's resources for higher education, but at this point, none could predict what revenue would be available or how the various interests would respond "to the present opportunity."

Transcript of Board Minutes, October 14, 1927

Governor Graves called this meeting of the board to hear testimony from students regarding the administration of President Dowell. The fist student who testified was L.S. Whitten, a senior and president of the Inter-Fraternity Council and editor of the Glomerata. According to Whitten, the current problem arose "the Sunday following the Clemson game." There appeared to be what he called "a bolsheviki uprising" on campus that had the potential for damaging Auburn's reputation in the state. Consequently, a group of "ten outstanding men on campus" met on Sunday night to discuss how to handle the situation. On Monday night, they called a meeting of twenty-four male students, who represented the junior and senior classes. This group determined to send representatives to Montgomery, Birmingham, and Columbus to interview alumni. Judge Samford suggested that the senior class pick a representative to meet with the executive committee [of the alumni association or the board?], which he chaired. Whitten was that representative. Subsequently, Whitten, Samford, and another student named Sankey went to see the governor. Whitten claimed that football was not "the cause of the unrest and disorder." Under questioning from the board, Whitten stated that Dowell was probably a good business manager, but had neglected the human side of relations with students. He also spoke of an inability on the part of professors to maintain classroom discipline. Finally, he mentioned "the Tuxworth affair," an apparent reference to the quarterback dismissed for drinking, as a mark against. Other students claimed that the drop in freshman enrollment had undermined confidence in Dowell, but Samford pointed out that the state's agricultural depression, not the president, were to blame for that. Subsequently witnesses mentioned a lack of cooperation between the president, faculty, and alumni. One board member suggested that certain alumni had instigated the student rebellion.

Report to the Board of Trustees, November 1927

Dowell responded to the students' charges by admitting that he possibly should have spent "more time on the ball field, in the streets, or in social situations," but his primary energies had been devoted to resolving Auburn's financial crisis. Local merchants had criticized new business practices which stressed wholesale purchases and letting bids because this undermined their vested interests. He definitely saw athletics as a major factor behind the criticism: the dismissal of the quarterback from the football team, his preference for holding pep rallies outside or in the gym rather than in Langdon Hall, and the dramatic resignation of Coach Morey.

Go to the TOP of the Page

Go to the Board Minutes Jumpstation

Go to the AU Archives and Manuscripts Department Homepage