Today, Jefferson's prediction is correct. Science has not only advanced tremendously since 1818, but the University has also introduced new science disciplines, including computer science. According to the University's website, computer science as a discipline started in 1970. In 1984, computer science became an independent department. Today, over 1,000 students are enrolled in one of three UVA undergraduate computer degree programs. Ultimately, this department is an example of how UVA has changed over the last two centuries and adapted to the world's current circumstances, just as Jefferson predicted it would.

I was struck by this passage, as it asserts that the current location of the University was chosen due to its proximity to the white population. Although black students are now allowed to enroll at the University, it maintains a predominantly "white" reputation.

Spurred by my own curiousity, I decided to look at the demographics of the three cities today. According to city-data.com, the Charlottesville population is 19.2% black, while the Lexington and Staunton populations are 9.5% black and 11.9% black respectively. Charlottesville has certainly grown since 1818, yet, as evident by the events that transpired this summer, it has certainly not escaped its past.

I found this statistic rather striking. Today, professors are often quite specialized, and they generally teach just one subject at the university. However, the report suggests that a single professor ought to teach multiple disciplines. Granted, professors 200 years ago did not have to educate the same population of students that attend today's university. According to the UVA magazine, the first class to attend the university consisted of 68 students and 8 professors. Today, according to Virginia.edu, the university boasts 15,891 undergraduates.

This passage seems rather ironic, and it reminds me of the Declaration of Independence. The document states "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." For much of American history, "all men" simply referred to white men. Thus, this statement in the rockfish gap report refers only to white men as well. Black men and women were excluded from the university and employed as slaves. White women were barred entry from the university too. Although Jefferson advertises the term "equal rights", his university champions racial and gender inequality.