I am a tad confused, is Rhetoric and the fine arts the only 'non math' major there was available at the time? What has rhetoric turned into today? is this Literature? Or ENWRs? (Ethan Baird)

Most of the focus at this time was business, or commerce. However, most of the subject area taught under this broad section is applicable to other areas. Reading, understanding of duties, knowing his rights, and observing with intelligence and faithfulness all the social relations under which he shall be placed. Overall, these are the makings of a good, literate citizen. Not only a businessman, but a well-informed citizen. (Ethan Baird)

I did some research and could not find who William Paxton was, I am curious if anyone knows of is maybe better than me at finding this type of information. Seems like someone giving 203 acres would be a prominent figure. Who was he?

Today, the white population composes 82.7% of Albermarle County and 70.4% of Charlottesville City. The white population of the University is approx. 60%. Albermarle is still very central to white populations of VA. I wonder if the University was founded in 2017, would a founding committee be more likely to choose a location further east where there is more racial diversity?

Lelia Battle

Going to one of my later comments about the foudners influence on writing the Declaration, ideas on political theory, and social contract (including possible communication with Madison) this again looks a lot like how they set up the university like a government.

This passage highlights the relevance the new country and government had on the formation of the school. Jefferson had spent most of his life working on creating and then perfecting (to his ideal) our current democratic system. The fact that he requires his school to answer not just to one person, but a body is reminiscent the radical new form of governing America has adopted.

• Maddie

What I like about the writing of this and how it is so structured and bureaucratic (in a way) makes me think to how or founding father was writing this. James Madison being present allows us to assume since Jefferson and him were close and often sent letters to one another that they were also in contact regarding this report. How did their theories of government and people influence this writing and set up the system for student self-governance.

In understanding the time period in which this document was created, it is worth considering the fact that the prevalent language of the world was French. This shows that America was still young and weak as a nation at this time, and that the creators of this document were hoping to create the men who would help America become the world power that it is today. Quinn Rogers

Here we see that Jefferson preferred education to expand not only towards the higher education of university, but also towards primary education. The subjects he wishes to be taught at these primary schools are very similar to the liberal arts education he favored at the university level, in which he sought to create a well-rounded citizen who is knowledgeable in most disciplines. To educate a young man then, past the subjects his preferred vocation requires, was likely a foreign concept, but Jefferson sought to not only do this, but to begin the process young. On my part, I agree with him in this belief. People, especially when young, as they are still developing set beliefs and thoughts, should be exposed to a broad range of topics. I believe what is learned in ones youth is critical in forming the person that comes later.

• Maddie S.

This statement is interesting because it introduces the university as not only a place for formal education and improved knowledge, but as a place for creating politically competent men who are aware of their rights--this competence can be applied to holding those superior to them within the university accountable in their actions, but also in a broader sense in regards to the government, creating men who will ensure the longevity of the democracy. Quinn Rogers

A great example can be learned here from Mr. Jefferson: he takes it upon himself to establish an institution that instructs and teaches people; he wants to share the knowledge he has acquired and has created a place where others can do the same. Similarly, I believe we should also take it upon ourselves not only to learn well, but to also teach others of what we've learned. Instructing whomever we can about his/her rights, interests, and duties, I believe, is a responsibility that all educated people should undertake.

Wafa Salah

I did some research on the Cincinnati society and found some interesting facts. The society was formed, lead by Henry Knox (our first Secretary of War in the modern constitution and the continental congress). The society was formed to keep the morals and foundations of the revolution alive, even after the end of the revolution. Perhaps they contributed because the University of Virginia would embody the ideals of the revolution and was something the men could get behind.

Another part where Jefferson emphasizes the self reliance that the university intends to promote by making educated citizens who can fend for themselves and be able to keep track of their own personal business.

Here again, we see subjects (the arts in this case) serving military purposes. Even though they point out the arguably more practical use of the arts, they do acknowledge the fact that the arts are enjoyable. However, similar to today, the arts are a subject that is seen as secondary. This is evident in the assignment of "accessory teachers" who are paid when they are needed. Tori Cherry

Jefferson's ideal america was an a republic where everyone was a farmer who could provide for themselves, so it makes sense that his university would promote harmony between all of these interests and promote well informed views so that everybody would be well informed about what was going on in the world and how they could affect it.

I believe this attitude towards physical activity within school is similar to how it is treated today. At least in my experience, physical education was something required in elementary and middle school but was optional in high school. It is interesting how they believed that "gymnastics" only served as a skill relative to warfare and not to one's general well being. Tori Cherry

It is quite evident here that creating independent students/citizens is one of the main concerns of this institution. One great example that shows this principle of independence being implemented on grounds today is the presence of the Honor Committee. The fact that any honor violation is defined, investigated, and judged by the student body is a great illustration of the value of this principle.

Wafa Salah

I looked this up, and while it directly translates to "beautiful letters" in French, it refers to a style of writing regarded as light and elegant.

I find it very interesting that business seemed to be the end goal for a college education. Today, students attend college for a variety of careers, but college was designed originally to provide citizens with the skills to run their own businesses. I think this reflects in how highly the commerce school is valued at UVA. It is an honor to be in the Comm School, and I think that shows in the initial creation of the university.

I believe this is key, as the founders included morals as their second value, every time they list them. I noticed that above, the improving of a student's morals and faculties by reading was listed just third. This value has been carried on by the students and graduates of the university. The value of Honor being defined by the students themselves and each student holding the next to that standard. This is truly, as I see it, the best way to teach such a value, and I believe the Commissioners would remain to be happy currently.

This particular quotation provides a fount aphorism in emphasis of general education over specialized education, a noble idealism of progressive learning eliminated by societal (usually economic) pressures today. The irony herein lies in the divisive racial content juxtaposing the "virtues" and "order". Enlightenment in higher education is strived for as much as humanic empathy within this document; however it is then constrained into unrighteous, racist principals that we presently struggle to uncover and recover from on an institutional level. Though good was sought-after in the institution, the irony within intellectuals of 1818 reflects a less cultivated, more dangerous mindset in society. Still, this foundation of institutionalized racism is arguably more oppressive and damaging to the modern age, so the true nobility of higher education for some must be called into question in realms of morality. For not only are these concepts ironic in presentation, they are also hypocritical in ethical "virtue".<br> -Emily Harris

Most colleges in 17th and 18th century were affiliated with their own respective religious denomination. Basic divinity schools where ministers got an education were found at every college across America until Thomas Jefferson founded the first university to explicitly disregard the training of ministers. This is reflective of Thomas Jefferson’s personal belief in separation of Church and education as he thought religion to be a deeply personal set of individual ethics between persons. In fact, Thomas Jefferson kept a scrapbook of sorts, referred to as The Jefferson Bible today, where he cut the four gospels in Greek, Latin, English, and French and pasted them next to each other. He excluded all divine miracles (including the resurrection), omitted all redundancy, and put the gospels in chronological order. -Emily Harris

This is a very vague statement. What exactly qualifies as "arbitrary and unnecessary restraint"? Who gets to decide if a certain individual action is necessary or sensible/proper? And what is the basis for classifying different actions as such?

-Wafa Salah

I particularly enjoy this line of the report. I appreciate this emphasis on personal growth in conjunction with academic growth that is so prevalent throughout the report. Furthermore, I also appreciate that these two types of growth seem to share the same level of importance.

This is an interesting statement and demonstrates who exactly the university hoped to educate back then. The students who it educated would go on to very high standing roles in society. While we certainly have students now who hope and will go on to assume similar roles, I believe the university seeks not just to educate those who will lead, but also prepare normal citizens who will go on to fulfill jobs, which still important, won't be as directly powerful. In my opinion this is an important change, as every citizen, wherever they may be from socially and financially, and in whatever role they go on to fill in society, should be educated to the fullest extent in order to be an active member of our nation.

• Maddie S.

This is one of the most, if not the most, important objectives of education, and yet, unfortunately, it is becoming less and less relevant in educational institutions. To our loss, we, students, these days, seem to be more concerned about passing an exam or doing well on an assignment than actually understanding the material. It is not entirely our fault,however, as societal pressure and educational systems seem to also prioritize grades over knowledge. I believe this issue should be one of our primary concerns, but I am also glad to have witnessed that people aren't as oblivious to it as they were once before.

Wafa Salah

This is the only time slaves are mentioned outright in this document. Jefferson and the other founders obviously view them as property, listing them between acres of land and placing them low on the list. This is interesting to me as without slaves the university likely never would have been founded, built, or maintained. It's disheartening that they provided so much to this university, unwilling as well, and yet seem to be almost an afterthought in this document. According to Encyclopedia Virginia, these slaves cleared land, cut and hauled lumber, made bricks, and transported stone in the beginning. Most were rented from their owners, likely causing them to be separated from their homes and loved ones. It also gives the name of a few slaves such as Carpenter Sam, who helped to build pavilions, Elijah who hauled stone, and William Green working as a blacksmith. It's important we recognize not just the labor they provided to the University, but also them as people and human beings who are apart of the University's complex history.

• Maddie S.

This particular line stood out to me because it draws upon explicit racism and an equally worrying subtext of dehumanization. The preceding sentences discuss land and the physical attributes of the University, only to be followed by this line about slave labor. In formatting the document this way, the commissionners seem to be equating the value of slaves to the land upon which they work. It strikes me with the message that slaves fall into the same category as the land, thus stripping them of any sense of humanity or value.

-Lina Modjarrad

In relation to the Race, Racism, Colony and Nation class that I'm in, there has been a long history of underestimating the intelligence of people of color in America, especially in Virginia. One of our readings mentioned that two black students at William and Mary were condemned for laughing in the college library, and an officer confronted them and did not believe they were students. His first assumption was that they were "bused in for a program." The fact that this report explicitly tailors the institution to the white population shows a connection between past and present. This type of racism might not be as blunt as it is in this report, but it lies in the micro-aggressions and subtle forms of white supremacy that are unfortunately still prevalent in America.

-Lina Modjarrad

This passage emphasizes the shift in values regarding environmental practices interwoven with economical studies. Although an industrial shift justifies the trivialization of the importance of learning about agriculture, I don't think it's rightful for the entire sect to be ignored. While learning about agriculture has decreased, the McIntire School has grown drastically. Surrounding the entire University are forests and farms and most civilians are not in touch with such a lifestyle. In this passage, Jefferson is describing the importance of these two being promoted in harmony. I think this needs to be reevaluated in the University today- informing students more of the environment around them. -nan marsh

In my engagement, "Can a Text be Ethical?", we have been studying the importance of religion in regards to government and policies. For our final assignment, we have to analyze the logic behind when it is important to use religious texts, such as the New Testament, to make ethical decisions. I think this line in the document perfectly encapsulates the whole point of this class: all religions should be considered equal. But the difficult question is when do we take religious beliefs into consideration? Jefferson believed his university should uphold the same values that his country upholds, which are that of freedom and equality for all. However, this then dives into the question of how far equality extends. If equality was so important to Jefferson, why was it only relative to religion? He is widely-known for keeping many slaves, so it is obvious that social equality was not of relevance to him. Then again, we must wonder if it was because he wasn't trying to make a political statement with the founding of a university. The amount of funding and support that a university requires is unimaginable, which is why it would make sense that Jefferson would pick his battles to allow for a new university instead of fighting for racial equality.

-Lauren Hickey

It is interesting to me that French was considered to be superior to all other languages, whether or not they were still in use. Latin is thought to be an extremely important language, since most of our historical documents were originally written in Latin. As far the sciences go, which is emphasized in this document as critical to the learning of all students, Latin is used to describe most everything. The names of plants, animals, and medical terminology are all Latin, which is why it is unusual for the text to refer to the French language as the "best".

The custom of the time allowed slaves to be treated as property. It is interesting how slaves are included in this account of purchased property. How could the writers of the document believe in an education that would "leave us free to do whatever does not violate the equal rights of another"?

The leaders who wrote this document wanted a student to improve his mental abilities, ethical ideas, and reading. The morals that a student should learn though are not specified. These morals probably did not include racial equality with the slaves at the time. This improvement of morals could have caused students to disregard the problem of slavery when talking about morals.

Prior to this statement, Jefferson explains that there is no professor of Divinity or religion. He claims this is to not interfere with the constitution. What in the constitution does he not want to offend? Presumably he is referring to the first amendment. Thus, he thinks that teaching religion would impose the religion and infringe upon the freedom to exercise any religion one desires. Does teaching a religion force it upon someone? In fact, the teaching of some religions and not others may have this effect by limiting students understanding of certain religions.

The commissioners recognize that there are many different opinion about the founding role of the university. They, then, list the opinions of others and argue why they are invalid. The arguments are about the establishment of the school as an institution to promote the liberal arts. However, they do not recognize the greater effect the school has on its surroundings. No one objects to the slave labor that will build and operate the school. They pretend to take into account others opinions, when the initial students and professors were mostly all of the same background: rich, white, educated, southern men. The school still somewhat perpetuates these ideas with white people having the vast majority control of the school. - Charlie Jones

I find it interesting that Acoustics and Phonics are labeled together. Both fall under the category of sound, however, one has to do with both music and architecture while the other has to do with language. Acoustics, for Thomas Jefferson at least, seemed to have been very important to his architectural design. The echo-chamber that is the Dome Room is something that Thomas Jefferson must have thought about, and I'm sure that this would influence his desire to have the same subject taught in the University. At this time period, phonics would have been a course of study in order to help people understand the science behind speech. I find this interesting because in todays world, we rarely learn the science behind acoustics (maybe a little bit in high school physics) but we learn phonics from the day we are born as our parents attempt to get us to pronounce words. -Tim Irish

It is quite striking to find such a clear statement that emphasizes the importance of participating in "historical review" while linking that review to the "present day"--for this type of review and analysis is exactly what UVA's first-year students are undertaking. It makes it evident that even the Rockfish Gap Report was meant for critical review. In the past, and the present, nothing is perfect--human words have always been scrutinized and will continue to be reviewed as long as media exists. With an emphasis on science within our language (as described), we are able to formulate effectively factual claims. Scientific discovery has flourished since the time of this report, however, it becomes more and more difficult to know what information is true and what information has been fabricated by the news media. The importance of opening up this informational language to students becomes vital to the creation a nation that vicariously breathes truth through its citizens. -Tim Irish

This statement highlights the fact that the founding of this university was during a time of youth for America. English, being among the languages of "general intercourse among nations", has become popular in succession with the rise of America as a world power. The fact that French was viewed as the universal language represents the immaturity of America as a nation at the time of this document's creation, not having made a mark on the world stage yet. This is important to keep in mind when reading this document in order to understand the feat which its authors were hoping to accomplish: the establishment of a university which would produce intelligent citizens that would help America mature as a nation.

The writers clearly would like if the student population of this new University could come solely from the area around the school as mentioned in the previous sentences, but the writers mention that if a sparse population cannot supply the school with a sufficient amount of students then they would be forced to enlarge the district that they are drawing students from but do so competently so that they could draw a sufficient student body. The writers had no idea what would become of the institution of higher learning in the United State, but they are invariably supporting out-of-state students which there are now an abundance of.

In this part of the text, it talks about what the goals are for the students who are getting a primary education. This is interesting because it maps out what the students should be learning and what concepts they should grasp. Even though the terms are very ill-defined, they map out that the students should improve their reading, morals, and writing. The best part of this text is when it mentions that every citizen should be able to express or preserve his/her ideas. I found this interesting because the university gives the rights to the student to express their ideas. Matt Moore

I found this paragraph very interesting. I did not know so much thought and design went into designing where the dorms and pavilions were located in correlation to the lawn. It is interesting to know that everything on campus was built there for a reason. Their ability to take the students academics and their study time into effect is what makes this university unique. They mention that the pavilions should be accommodated by 2 students who deemed advantageous to morals, to order, and to uninterrupted studying. This shows how much this university cares about their students and that is what caught my eye when reading.

Matt Moore

What strikes me the most about this practice of one professor teaching all of the courses, is the lack of diversity of thought per course offered. While professors often teach more than one course these days, there are other professors and instructors who add different varieties of thinking about the genre a student wishes to learn. If only one professor controlled an entire grouping of these classes, how would the diversity that respective courses offer reflect the opportunity to truly understand the courses themselves?

It's very interesting that the grouping of courses was first by course area themselves, instead of the modern fashion of by the major that one tends to accomplish. What's even more striking, however, is that these areas may be how the the lasting areas of study are grouped.

Why was determining the location of the University the most important action, before establishing values and goals of the establishment itself? Having a physical space may have been an important first step in determining just that- allowing the Commissioners to visualize what sort of academia they wish to develop, in regards to the physical space it takes up and surrounds.

Regarding the lens in which we view the world in my engagement class entitled Race, Racism, Colony, and Nation, this reference to the "prosperity...power, and the happiness of a nation," can be connected to the differences between the experience of the colony and the nation within America. The colony, in this case, referring to the slaves and other marginalized communities unable to enjoy these rights that Jefferson believes are adorned by education. The nation, referring to the community of white people that is clearly who this document (and at this time, the university) was made by and for.

UVA was founded to encourage higher education, what was called the “holy cause of the University.” Jefferson believed in aiming at the highest. In looking at the historical origin of UVA, we find its connection with wide-reaching ideas of a system of public education. Jefferson seemed to recognize that our schools, if they are to serve efficiently, must have broad foundations.

This statement regarding the plans for establish a government at the University can be seen as fulfilled through the current government at UVA. UVA's current government is self-run by the students, embodying the essential idea of self-governance rooted in the American character.

Chemistry is explained in this context not as a natural science but for it's use to understand agriculture which was a practical skill at the time.