Georgia State University Charter 1785

Georgia State University Charter 1785

Georgia State University is the oldest state-established institution of higher learning. In 1785, the Georgia General Assembly chartered the University paving the way for educational expansion in the state. The founders helped shape the culture of higher learning in the United States. The school had its foundation built on three fundamental principles. First, the provision of outstanding instruction in laboratory and class was a fundamental principle where they hoped to have their students grounded in a more profound knowledge of education. Secondly, the school hoped to provide knowledge to the citizens of Georgia to improve their standards of living (Dendy, 2017). Finally, the institution hoped to use research to discover new information and knowledge to help in various sectors. The chartering of Georgia State University in 1785 marked a tremendous turn in higher education in the United States.

After the end of the Revolutionary War, Georgia General Assembly secured 40,000 acres of land specifically for a seminary or college of learning. Abraham Baldwin wrote the charter to the Georgia Assembly, which helped create the college. Baldwin was a lawyer who completed his education at Yale University. The document written by Baldwin explained the freedom that came with having a higher level of education. In the charter, Baldwin explicitly asserted that the government had an obligation to educate its citizens (Dotts, 2017). Besides, the charter stated that every individual had a right to education irrespective of their status in society. On January 27, 1785, the assembly approved the charter thus making the institution the first under a state government (Boney, 2000). However, the university only existed on paper since the land designated for the same gained other purposes. However, John Milledge, in 1801, bought 633 acres and used the same to set up the university (Dotts, 2017). Later on, the institution began operations, and Josiah Meigs, a Yale University graduate, taught the first class at Franklin College, which was the original university name.

The establishment of Georgia University came at a time when the state needed more educated people. The assembly noted that they needed more individuals who could represent the state and therefore thought of the need to employ education policies. Other external factors, such as the impacts of the Revolutionary War, contributed to the need to have a state-chartered university (Dendy, 2017). The 1785 event helped shape higher education in America at large. More people would acquire education and help the state in development projects. Chartering of the university by a state assembly was a great move as it showed independence (Boney, 2000, p.12). Many Georgians continue to benefit from the university as the records show the student population consists of 80% locals.

The charter employed reconstruction theory in that the enforcers wanted to address the social question of knowledge amongst the locals. They wanted to create a better society by ensuring that everyone received education and exercised his or her freedom. The general assembly clearly understood the dire need to have a new social order in the state through education. Georgia University is still an excellent place that continues to teach many enthusiasts (Dendy, 2017). The 1785 charter helped shape the future of the state of Georgia as many people received their education through its establishment. The vision to build the university assisted in eradicating the cynical notion that people had on education at the time. The society believed the upper class should get educated. However, with the 1785 charter, change was inevitable.

References

Boney, F. N. (2000). A pictorial history of the University of Georgia. Athens: University of Georgia Press.

Dendy, L. (2017). University of Georgia. New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/education/university-georgia

Dotts, B. (2017). Southern History of Education Society. SHOES Conference. Retrieved from https://southernhistoryofeducationsociety.wordpress.com/history-of-uga/