I was in the EGMT 1540 class, 'Thinking Like a Scientist,' and this statement reminded me of some topics of the course. We discussed how many established and well-known people reject science and facts, and instead see the science as opinion at times, on both sides of the political spectrum. For example, many do not believe in climate change, yet climate change is a scientific fact and is not something that can be believed in or not believed in. On the other side, many believe GMOs cause cancer, or other detrimental effects, when in fact nothing has shown this. These persons are considering 'the learned sciences as useless acquirements' when convenient. Clearly, there were some 'good men' during Jefferson's time as well that had a similar train of thought and lack of value for science. In reality, science is fact and is the basis for future discussions, innovations and policy.

I believe this phrase speaks to the idea of holding others accountable for their actions. As first years, we've been in various talks and seminars discussing the importance of honor and accountability, and so reading this sentence reminded me of this. I find it interesting that the idea has carried into today. However, it seems that in the history of UVA, many people have not been accountable for their actions. These actions include slave-owning, discrimination, and sexual harassment. In addition, it is ironic because UVA specifically did not allow women and non-white people as students until later than other universities did. So, it seems UVa has not always held itself accountable and done the right thing.

In this part of the Rockfish Gap Report, the writer is showing that the individual and the school are separate. This reminds me of how the University will say that certain clubs or groups are not affiliated with the University and do not reflect the institution's views. It's interesting that the basis for this was rooted so long ago.

In this piece of the document, Jefferson highlights what he values in education. He lists subjects and shows that Jefferson wants to produce very well rounded students and that these students should have knowledge from a wide range of subjects and disciplines. Today, we uphold Jefferson's view of diverse knowledge by taking a variety of subjects.

Among the list of offerings that John Robinson of Rockbridge County is willing to make to the President of the University and the Directors of the Literary fund for locating the University in Lexington, are slaves. Moreover, he is willing to offer all 57 of his slaves. The fact that one individual would own 57 slaves in mind-baffling. 57 slaves are more humans than students in some of my larger classes here at UVA. This line of the Rockbridge Gap Report is cringe inducing for a 21st century reader. Perhaps back in 1818 when the document was written ownership of that large a number of slaves was the norm. It is completely dehumanizing to think that slaves, real humans, could be offered as a trade for a favor. However, the progress that society has made regarding equality of mankind is noteworthy, although much progress remains.

The Commissoners of the University chose the site of UVA in mere 3 days. I think it is baffling that they made a decision as monumental at this one in just 3 days.

In the paragraph that begins with " in the education of youth, provision is to be made for1.tuition 2 diet..." talks about guidelines rules, government and discipline at the university. Specifically, they pointed out that using fear as a way to enforce and encourage strong charcater and moral behavior was not right and adequate. This makes it seem as if using fear and "corporal punishments, and servile humiliations" may have been a norm of the time, and the authors of the report wished to make clear that UVA was going to use more progressive and effective measures regarding discipline.

It's interesting to note that the report shows room for modifying the physical layout of the university and adding buildings. More specifically, this part shows that Jefferson did not want religion to be the focus of learning. Contrary to other educational institutions at the time, where the church was the center of the university, Jefferson envisioned something different. He planned for a library or other educational building to be the center, and this sentence shows his revolutionary thinking in this way.

Why was the Rockfish Gap chosen as the place to hold this meeting? I think maybe it was a remote, quiet meeting place but other than this I can't find any significance.

I find this statement in the document appalling. The founders portray blatant racism within the first paragraph as they decide upon the foundation for the University. I find it baffling that a university designed for the bettering of an entire state would exclude its benefits from such a large segment of the population for which it was designed. Furthermore, it is concerning that issues regarding the exclusion of certain groups of the population remain an issue today amidst the twenty-first century. However, it is encouraging that the University and the larger population of the United States have made great progress towards removing these racist beliefs.

-Jenna Taylor

I found this section of the document inspiring. This empowering belief regarding education is still held today at the University of Virginia and in today's broader society. Although the founders of the University prove to be quite discriminatory and immoral throughout many sections of the document, their argument here, that education betters a man, brings a hint of optimism to this section of the report.

-Jenna Taylor

This phrase really highlights how UVA was viewed as a continuation of public education. The foundations for what UVA would teach students was already there, as a result of the public education in the state. The founders of UVA saw the University not as a higher education for some, but for all. Because of this, UVA is seen as a central democratic institution.