"In a republican nation whose citizens are to be led by reason and persuasion and not by force, the art of reasoning becomes of first importance." --Thomas Jefferson to David Harding, 1824. ME 16:30 ( https://famguardian.org/Subjects/Politics/ThomasJefferson/jeff0700.htm ). This quotation reveals how much reason played into TJ's daily life and his visions for the country, even after he was President. Reason was an Enlightenment ideal - one TJ most likely picked up during his time in France. Reason was a huge deal in Europe during the Enlightenment and it is interesting how TJ involved this obsession with reason in the foundation of UVA.

As some of my peers have iterated, it is hypocritical to place "morals" and "virtue" on such a high pedestal but not legitimately consider the importance of being acceptance towards those of other races. According to a website on US history, economic advantages to slavery were of more importance than modern values to accept difference. Therefore, it seems illegitimate for the board to make this claim that the university will help their students reach higher virtues as long as their policies are racist. http://www.ushistory.org/us/27f.asp

"At the University of Virginia there are additional reasons to remember this Founding Father with gratitude, for he is truly an unsung hero of the University. Overshadowed by the tremendous contributions made by Thomas Jefferson to establish the University, Madison's role is often overlooked, although he worked closely with Jefferson to realize his vision for an institution of higher education to prepare students for their responsibilities as citizens of the new Republic." http://static.lib.virginia.edu/jamesmadison/introduction.htm James Madison is one of the more recognizable names on this list of influencers in the creation of the University of Virginia. Of course, these names are often overlooked because Thomas Jefferson hold the spotlight. I was surprised to learn about how much Madison contributed in funds and service to the University that no one ever talks about. His endowment funded the libraries and his leadership leaded the University after Jefferson's death. Neither are things to take for granted.

What is a chimæra and what does it have to do with the University of Virginia. In Greek Mythology, the chimæra is a creature with multiple parts of different animals. When seen, disaster was inevitable. As a figure of speech, the similar "chimera" means a fanciful mental illusion or fabrication. Because I can't see the greek mythical creature fitting into this document and contex, I take the close spelling as the intended meaning. Therefore, a defense of education lasts, and trying to convince one against the notion that education improves is false.

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/chimera https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimera_(mythology)

Why are they removing literary funds? What were these funds allocated for previously that might be changing? "The House of Delegates at First Favored a small appropriation from the literary fund for the education of the poor, and the application of the rest of the fund to the payment of the debts of the State."(Thomas Jefferson and the University of Virginia, Herbert Baxter Adams, pg. 84; https://books.google.com/books?id=qkTPAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA2-PA59&lpg=RA2-PA59&dq=what+were+the+literary+funds+jefferson+invested+in&source=bl&ots=4g9CVlCFLX&sig=0sH2A4FyPyLFoPnHOi6ZAkf-c3c&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiihJOErcXWAhXB4iYKHWRzAlkQ6AEIMjAC#v=onepage&q=what%20were%20the%20literary%20funds%20jefferson%20invested%20in&f=false )

This is the beginning of student self governance. Although it is not explicitly stated, this idea of how students go about life here at UVA still applies to this day with self-governance. http://www.virginia.edu/life/selfgovernance Here is the link to the UVA website that explains what self-governance means here today.