It's interesting to examine the departments offering courses during the time this document was written and between now. At the time the document was constructed, slavery was very much present at the University and had great support from the Professors and the students. Now, the University offers an African-American studies major and minor. This is a major improvement and shows how far the University has come towards diversity. Students are now able to study African-American and African history and culture.

http://woodson.as.virginia.edu/african-american-and-african-studies-major This resource details the requirements for African-American studies majors, why students should consider an African-American studies major, and what students can do with an African-American studies major.

This statement is interesting because it claims that one of the University's goals was to ensure that students were aware of their rights and how to exercise them. This is quite the contrast from the University's opinion on slavery and the treatment of African-Americans. Perhaps, because the University did not consider enslaved persons as actual human beings, they did not think about how contradicting they were being with this statement.

https://famguardian.org/Subjects/Politics/ThomasJefferson/jeff1275.htm This article demonstrates Jefferson's well-rounded knowledge of the justice system and the rights of all citizens, which is interesting given his positive view of slavery and the treatment of his slaves, specifically Sally Hemmings.

These are the objects of that higher grade of education, the benefits & blessings of which the legislature now propose to provide for the good & ornament of their country

Jefferson established the University of Virginia because he recognized the importance of higher education and its ability to provide economic prosperity. This also relates to Jefferson's concept of calling graduation Final Exercises. Jefferson implemented this ideal because he believed that one never graduates from education, for life is all about growth and accumulating knowledge about the world around us. The University is the basis for higher education, but that intellectual development by no means stops after students leave the University. In fact, the education received at the University is just the beginning. https://news.virginia.edu/content/history-final-exercises

To know his rights; to exercise with order & justice those he retains; to choose with discretion the fiduciaries of those he delegates; and to notice their conduct with diligence with candor & judgement.

This objective is striking because it stresses the importance for individuals to know of their rights and to exercise them accordingly. Because of its placement within the top five, the objective has major significance. Although individual rights are a principal component of the University, enslaved African-Americans worked on grounds during the time. The University makes the claim that individual rights are of upmost importance and yet, slavery was implemented at the University. This shows a clear contradiction within the University's said beliefs and its actions. The fact that slaves were not viewed as fully human is the probable cause as to why the University could not see the fault within denying slaves individual rights. It is important to note this history and the University's foundational principles, in order to further progression. https://vpdiversity.virginia.edu/sites/vpdiversity.virginia.edu/files/documents/SlaveryatUVaBrochure_FINAL.pdf**