- Dec 2017
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engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu
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Spanish is highly interesting to us, as the language spoken by so great a portion of the inhabitants of our Continents, with whom we shall possibly have great intercourse ere long; and is that also in which is written the greater part of the early history of America.
I think the reason behind why they first stated "Spanish is highly interesting to us" instead of just the reasons is because Spanish is only interesting to the U.S. since there are many Spanish-speaking inhabitants. Without them perhaps Spanish wouldn't even be interesting let alone a language which we would likely learn rather than others. Because it is useful in our own country many Americans are inclined to learn it but looking at other countries around the world it goes to show that Spanish in general is not that popular in other countries but rather English and Chinese. Spanish does, however, have a large base since almost the entire South America speaks it.
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And it is at this stage only that they should be recieved at the university. Giving then a portion of their time to a finished knowledge of the latin and Greek, the rest might be appropriated to the modern languages
I do find it quite fascinating how the majority of students back in this time period were so focused on learning languages such as latin or Greek. That being said, I am aware that in a way it seems to be a dying language which is why people are no longer learning those languages as much, particularly latin. While it is useful to learn latin and greek to help one understand ancient texts, it's also good to notice that there are others who have already translated the text meaning you don't have to learn it anymore either. Plus since people aren't writing or speaking in latin anymore it makes sense for our own own kind to move onto other more current languages that will be more useful to us in the present moment.
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- Oct 2017
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engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu
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The board having thus agreed on a proper site for the University to be reported to the legislature, proceeded to the second of the duties assigned to them, 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. It is supposed that such pavilions on an average of the larger & smaller will cost each about $5,000; each dormitory about $350, and Hotels of a single room for a Refectory, & two rooms for the tenant necessary for dieting the students will cost about $3.500 each. The number of these pavilions will depend on the number of Professors, and that of the Dormitories & Hotels on the number of students to be lodged & dieted. The advantages of this plan are, greater security against fire & infection; tranquillity & comfort to the Professors, and their families thus insulated; retirement to the Students, and the admission of enlargement to any degree to which the institution may extend in future times. It is supposed probable that a building of somewhat more size in the middle of the grounds may be called for in time, in which may be rooms for religious worship under such impartial regulations as the visitors shall prescribe, for public examinations, for a Library, for the schools of music, drawing, and other associated purposes.
It's quite interesting to find that the original idea of the University was kept intact even after 200 years. The Lawn continues to be used for something that Jefferson hoped for which is continuous learning among students and teachers. The fact that students were close to their teachers and everything was centered around The Lawn makes it much easier for the students to learn and study. It's also interesting to notice how different the prices of things were back then considering how it would now cost much more if they were to be built at this time period.
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Three places were proposed, to wit Lexington in the County of Rockbridge, Staunton in the County of Augusta, and the Central college in the County of Albemarle: each of these was unexceptionable as to healthiness & fertility. It was the degree of centrality to the white population of the state which alone then constituted the important point of comparison between these places: and the board, after full enquiry & impartial & mature consideration, are of opinion that the central point of the white population of the state is nearer to the central college, than to either Lexington or Staunton by great & important differences, and all other circumstances of the place in general being favorable to it as a position for an University, they do report the central college in Albemarle to be a convenient & proper part of the State for the University of Virginia.
To figure out where the university should be located they looked at whether they were unexceptionable to healthiness and fertility as well as the degree to the centrality to the white population. I find it quite interesting to see the possible locations that the University could have been located but also find the fact that a large portion as to why they chose Albemarle County quite saddening. It goes to show how prominent racism was back then as well as how it continues to affect us today considering this school continues to be a prominently white school.
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