I think it's quite important to note the significance of virtue and order to the University's founders. They cared about the moral behavior of the institution's students and put great emphasis on regulating this precept. The University's intent was largely based off empowering young students and educating them to flourish in society, and a key component to this preparation for the world was through valuing morality and ethics.

This ideology is one which embodies, in my opinion, the New Curriculum here at UVA. Enabling students to discuss relevant topics as well as engage in difference in a closely-knit community is precisely what the University's creators believe is necessary for the school to flourish, and it's remaining relevant in our own school setting today.

This quote here provides the central controversy that has become quite prevalent throughout the school's history. Today we question the legitimacy of Jefferson's famous statue as a founder of the University. Do we praise these men for their founding the school, or do we put them down for their hypocrisy in their actions and slave-owning? It's a challenging topic to discuss but I am interested to see how it fuels students across Grounds to act as a united body against racism and prejudice.

The interesting part about this line is that it applies to two relevant issues for me. In regards to my engagement (Extinction in Art & Literature), it asks for education to "improve what was vicious and perverse": we have discussed virtually every day of class about how we can improve the UVA community in approaching awareness for extinction and climate change as well as actions towards combating them. In regards to the recent consequences of the August 11 and 12 events, there is a call to action as well for a "new man on the native stock": both in and out of the classroom, we should try to improve upon our differences.