- Oct 2017
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engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu
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that of proposing a plan for its buildings; and they are of opinion that it should consist of distinct houses or pavilions, arranged at proper distances on each side of a lawn of a proper breadth, & of indefinite extent in one direction at least, in each of which should be a lecturing room with from two to four apartments for the accommodation of a professor and his family: that these pavilions should be united by a range of Dormitories, sufficient each for the accommodation of two students only, this provision being deemed advantageous to morals, to order, & to uninterrupted study; and that a passage of some kind under cover from the weather should give a communication along the whole range
I appreciate the fact that they implemented a plan where it would benefit the students. When I went into the dorms, it felt like it was a place where I could call home. The founders wanted the students to live in a peaceful community where they would have access to “uninterrupted study”. One of the main reasons I came to University of Virginia is because the campus was enclosed, so knowing that valuable thought was induced into the process makes it more special. It is amazing how the arrangements of the university are still intact. It is good to know that they cared about our wellbeing.
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In this enquiry they supposed that the governing considerations should be the healthiness of the site, the fertility of the neighbouring country, and it’s centrality to the white population of the whole state: for altho the act authorised & required them to receive any voluntary contributions whether conditional or absolute, which might be offered thro them to the President & Directors of the literary fund, for the benefit of the University, yet they did not consider this as establishing an auction, or as pledging the location to the highest bidder.
As an African American man, I have heard many derogatory and racist statements before, but this does not seem racist to me. The way it is worded tells the reader that it is natural and normal to talk in this manner. White supremacy is non-existent because it was inevitable for white men to be in power. Usage of different phrases implies that University of Virginia was not built for any other minorities including black people. For example, the healthiness of the site could have many different definitions .When I read that statement, I think of the skin color of people in a certain community, but I believe there is also hidden text in the wording. The writers use of this text say "site" but it could mean "sight" as it is unhealthy to even look at other races. I was baffled by this text, but I am not surprised where the founder of the school owned slaves himself.
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