These objects relate to my current engagement, which considers what engaged citizenship entails. Through reading various perspectives on matters such as non-violent versus violent solutions to bring about change in societal issues, our morals are improved as we are brought beyond our own experience to learn the ways in which we can care about others and how all of our fates are ultimately bound together. Another important aspect of engaged citizenship is fulfilling duties such as voting or being an informed and active contributor to the public good. Once an individual recognizes an issue which they feel needs to be addressed, it is their responsibility to enact change for the benefit of those who are being placed at a disadvantage, whether or not this includes the individual them self and regardless of the risks they may face. Essentially, go on strike and get arrested.

The document claims to honor the principles of our constitution, which place all sects of religion on equal footing, by having a professor of ethics teach the discipline of religion. However, the university does not honor equality in all areas and does not make any attempt to hide their discriminatory practices as it is clear that the founders anticipate only white male students to be accepted. The result of this is that many of the individuals practicing supposedly "equal" religions are overlooked because they do not fit this profile.

One of the main inconsistencies found in this document is the meaning and use of the word equality. This was a famously important ideal to Jefferson, who authored the Declaration of Independence on the basis of securing freedom from the oppressive British regime. However, there is obvious dissonance throughout the Rockfish Gap Report as it states that Charlottesville was chosen specifically for its proximity to a large white population and the university itself was built by enslaved laborers. I find it interesting that Jefferson was so adamant about allowing freedom of religion, still a rather radical notion during this time period, as he was obviously unwilling to extend freedom towards all of the individuals involved in the founding of UVa. The aspects of equality which he choses to enforce demonstrate a somewhat progressive mindset, yet there are inherent contradictions in both this document and the principles of the constitution on which it is based. Additionally, the decision to have a professor of ethics teach the religion courses indicates that the founders hoped to encourage morality among the students of the university and align with the proposed values they believe all young men should have. However, the access to the university was restricted to a specific portion of the population and thus the use of the word equality throughout the text is almost ironic.

This portion of the document highlights the changes in societal opinion regarding the necessity of making an education available to every individual, especially when considering higher education. There is still much debate over the importance of receiving a college degree as it greatly increases one's chances of securing a job but is not required for every profession and comes at a great expense. While we may consider a college education much more accessible and important today, this document demonstrates the difference in opinion on which our university was founded. I find this particularly interesting as the New College curriculum has based an engagement on engaging differences and ensuring that students remain open to considering the opinions and beliefs of others.