University of Virginia
IN-25: Innovation B

Over the past decade, U.S. colleges and universities have begun paying greater attention to the historical role of slavery at their institutions. The University of Virginia is proud to have joined other premier institutions in exploring and commemorating its relationship with slavery, as well as the lives of the enslaved people who were an integral part of early life at Jefferson’s University. UVA began to establish a broader institutional commitment to this with the formation of the President’s Commission on Slavery and the University. The Commission's charge is to provide advice and recommendations to the President on the commemoration of the University of Virginia’s historical relationship with slavery and enslaved people. By exploring and reporting on UVA’s historical relationship with slavery, the Commission is able to highlight opportunities for recognition and commemoration including (but not limited to): 1) Investigate the interpretation of historically significant buildings/sites related to slavery at UVA (Sites identified by the Office of the Architect include the Crackerbox, McGuffey Cottage, the Mews, Pavilion VI garden, and the African American burial site adjacent to the University cemetery). 2) Discuss mutual interests with Monticello to include research and events focusing on Jefferson and slavery. 3) Promote an historical exhibition focusing on slavery at UVA. 4) Assist in interpretive/interactive media in the Rotunda Visitor’s Center. 5) Propose projects (similar to the Henry Martin plaque) that would educate students, faculty, staff, and visitors about enslaved individuals who worked on Grounds. 6) Consider appropriate memorialization.

Articles: https://news.virginia.edu/content/uva-president-appoints-commission-slavery-and-university The content of the slavery website was researched and crafted by the UVA Scholars Lab. The Scholar Lab brings together "advanced students and researchers from across the disciplines partner on digital projects and benefit from expert consultation and teaching. Our highly-trained faculty and staff focus especially on the digital humanities, geospatial information, and scholarly making and building at the intersection of our digital and physical worlds."