Prior to reading this document among other historical websites about the foundation of the University of Virginia, I was quite oblivious to the fact that our University was in fact intended to serve a non-diverse, white population of people. Although I had general sense of this notion, I was unaware of to extent to which it existed. To this day, although I see way more white people than those of diverse backgrounds, I think UVA has made incredible strides towards becoming an inviting, inclusive, open place where all people regardless of their sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and ethnic background can express their opinions and be heard.

I find this statement particularly intriguing as one of the main goals of attending UVA I had was to gain a strong sense of independence and create a foundation for myself to build on in the years after graduation (I hope...). Also, the rather rhetoric used such as "information" and "transaction" caught my attention because the Commerce school at UVA is a school I'd love to transfer into one day in order to acquire a stronger sense of independence and understanding for the business side of the world. This phrase completely applies to my first few months at UVA because I have no choice but to learn what I need on a daily basis in order to enhance my learning and development myself as a self-driven, confident person.

In order to create a university where students and faculty would be eager to attend, the writers mention the notion of needing to "furnish" the university with both a beautiful physical location and surroundings, but also furnish the institution with brilliant minds and opportunities that will leave departing students ready to embrace the challenges of everyday life after school.

The importance of not only learning about new subjects and being exposed to different types of people and backgrounds is portrayed here, but the application that education has to daily life is shown. By "generat(ing) habits," the writers of this report encourage both students in the 19th century and today to embrace the wholesome experience that UVA and being educated comes with.

To me, it is fascinating how the aims of the University of Virginia and purpose of having a strong, central campus still stand as prominent as they did 200 years ago. The foundation and origin of UVA parallel the notion of having a democratic voice in our country's efforts both during the times of Thomas Jefferson and to this present day. The phrase "real & personal" provides the members of the university with a sense of comfort, compassion, and camaraderie that are prevalent ideals at the University of Virginia today.

This quote signifies the shift from the previous tyrannical, monarchy-based governments in Europe to the newly reformed Democratic way of life in the United States. Here, one can notice the similarity between this quote and the foundation of Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. Similar to the to the line in Danielle Allen's "Our Declaration" that states "solidarity cannot be built without principle," the democratic way of governance at the University of Virginia was now given a bedrock in which every member of the institution could obey and believe in wholeheartedly.