It still amazes me that the university's location was based on the proximity to the white population in Albemarle County. For the times, this statement was extremely normal, and this is seen in the way the sentence is written. First, the mention of the "healthiness" of the site (something we may consider reasonable today), then the "fertility" of the next country (as Virginia has always been an agricultural state), and finally the "centrality to the white population" (as if this is just another plain thing to consider). Although we have moved away from this very direct form of prejudice, the history is still there. There are still people who think this way in our society and especially at the university.

I find it interesting that the reasons for the languages are sated here. Although there are various things in this report that in modern times we may find alarming, I find this paragraph to be the few that reflects what we are striving for at UVA, that is, diversity. The reasons vary from very practical ones, in that French will help them establish international relations (much like Mandarin today, for someone who already speaks English). This is meant to help advance the student at the university, much like today. At the same time, Spanish is mentioned because it is "highly interesting to us", suggesting that there is an appreciation for Spanish language and culture, seemingly as a an additional benefit beside the simple one of being able to communicate with Spanish speakers. The appreciation for other cultures can therefore be taking into account as a fundamental of the university.

Because of the recent events in Charlottesville, I found myself presented with means to actively counteract the acts of hate during the rally in August. There have been various clubs and events that promote very different views from those presented in the rally. I have learned a lot about the world, specifically politics and society (my "neighbors and country"), in my first semester here because of the great amount of discussion surrounding the rally. I consider being in these events and speaking out as the "duties" mentioned in the report.

I think it is extremely interesting that the document states the reason for learning each language, as if is necessary to have a justification for learning a language. I also want to note that these languages are all European (except for maybe Spanish, which is already present in Latin America). I like that on of the reasons was "it is interesting to us", citing pleasure or passion as a reason for learning a language.

Division on the basis of race was not only present during the society in TJ's time, but actively referenced in the founding document of the university. This places race as a focal point in the very essence of the university. Additionally, it is used as a reasoning for one of the most important things about the university: the location.