When the University of Virginia opened its doors on March 7, 1825, it started a new trend in education.
Thomas Jefferson wished to change the traditional focus of higher education to allow students greater freedom in choosing subjects of interest. Many universities at the time focused solely on educating future lawyers, doctors and clergy.
Jefferson wrote this on the subject: "We shall, on the contrary, allow [students] uncontrolled choice in the lectures they shall choose to attend, and require elementary qualification only, and sufficient age. Our institution will proceed on the principle of doing all the good it can without consulting its own pride or ambition; of letting everyone come and listen to whatever he thinks may improve the condition of his mind."
By promoting this unique educational vision, Jefferson branded his University as a "renegade institution."
Along with the new type of curriculum, the layout of the University was radical for the time. The contemporary trend was large, centralized classroom buildings that had everything from student dormitories to chapels inside.
At the University, professors conducted classes within their own homes in each of the Pavilions. They were paid, in 1820 dollars, $1,500 a year plus a flat fee from each student.
At $15 a student, professors began competing for students. They soon found themselves without room in the Pavilions, so they began opening Jefferson's signature triple-sash windows and lecturing to students both inside and outside at the same time to increase the amount of money they earned.
Students fees were based on how many classes they took. If the student studied under one professor, it cost $50. If he chose to study under two, it was $35 for each professor. Finally, for three professors, it cost only $25 each.
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