Charter—Nonsectarian Provision

The charter specifically instructed the board of trustees to “take effectual care that students of all denominations may and shall be admitted to the equal advantage of a liberal education, and to the emoluments and honors of the College, and that they shall receive a like fair, generous and equal treatment during their residence therein.” In the early history of the United States, higher education institutions existed for the principal purpose of preparing young men for the ministry. The founders of Harvard, Yale, and William and Mary are among those who were clear that this was the primary purpose of the institution. Toward the end of the eighteenth century, there was a growing sentiment that college had a value apart from the theological training of candidates for the ministry. Between 1776 and 1800, there were 15 colleges founded, of which two-thirds were nonsectarian in character.

The 1807 charter of East Tennessee College, established as a result of the Compact of 1806, did not contain the nonsectarian requirement, but the 1869 act designating the university as Tennessee’s land-grant university had a nonsectarian requirement.

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  • Title Charter—Nonsectarian Provision
  • Author
  • Keywords Charter—Nonsectarian Provision
  • Website Name Volopedia
  • Publisher University of Tennessee Libraries
  • URL
  • Access Date March 29, 2024
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update October 4, 2018