This passage proves that Universities are impacted by the community around them, just as much (or more) as they affect their surroundings. This concept is particularly important now, as we at UVA examine how the events of Aug. 11 and 12 will impact our school, but it was even more crucial back then. When the University was founded the world was much less connected than it is now, and the location of the University would undoubtedly have a huge impact on what it became. Today, UVA is not known as a big scientific University, but more as one devoted to politics or economics. Had the University been built in a larger population center, with the critical mass to support a hospital, might UVA be known now as a premier medical school, or one with the best biology or chemistry department in the nation? I suppose we will never know, but remaining cognizant of how our home in Charlottesville impacts our growth is crucial to our future.

Jefferson's original goal in creating the University of Virginia was to establish an institution that prepares citizens (white males) to be influential and engaged members of the democratic republic that was (and is) the United States of America. In creating a system of government at the University that paralleled that of the United States students were integrated into that way of thinking. Today, UVA still emphasizes heavily the ideas of student self-governance and works hard to foster engagement in the student body, whether in school politics or the outside world. It is telling that so many students leave UVA and go into the field of politics or policy. The school's history of encouraging democratic thinking likely draws many of those interested in these fields to the University of Virginia.

Even back then, differences of opinion were expected, despite the lack of group diversity. At UVA today, there is an emphasis on listening to the opinions of others. To know that this has been an ideal of the University from its inception makes it clear why it is so important to us now. However, it is good that as an institution we have extended this concept beyond academics, and into the social realm through diversity of race, religion, and nationality.

This phrase really highlights how UVA was viewed as a continuation of public education. The foundations for what UVA would teach students was already there, as a result of the public education in the state. The founders of UVA saw the University not as a higher education for some, but for all. Because of this, UVA is seen as a central democratic institution.