IMPRIMIS:  Definition

IMPRIMIS: In the first place; as, imprimis, I direct my just debts to be paid. See Item. Source: Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)

Imprimis \Im*pri"mis\, adv. [L., for in primis among the first, chiefly; in in + primus first.] In the first place; first in order. [1913 Webster] Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Imprimis \Im*pri"mis\, adv. [L., for in primis among the first, chiefly; in in + primus first.] In the first place; first in order. Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Imprimis \Im*pri"mis\, adv. [L., in the first place] Source: Imprimis Hillsdale College national speech digest. Registered (1972)

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About Hillsdale College

Hillsdale College is an independent, liberal arts college accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Hillsdale's educational mission rests upon two principles: academic excellence and institutional independence.  The College does not accept federal or state taxpayer subsidies for any of its operations.

Hillsdale has been officially non-denominational since its inception.  It was the first American college to prohibit in its charter any discrimination based on race, religion or sex, and became an early force for the abolition of slavery.  It was also only the second college in the nation to grant four-year liberal arts degrees to women.

Hillsdale’s modern rise to prominence occurred in the 1970s.  On the pretext that some of its students were receiving federal loans, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare attempted to interfere with the College’s internal affairs, including a demand that Hillsdale begin counting its students by race.  Hillsdale’s trustees responded with two toughly worded resolutions: One, the College would continue its policy of non-discrimination.  Two, "with the help of God," it would "resist, by all legal means, any encroachments on its independence."

Following almost a decade of litigation, the U.S. Supreme Court decided against Hillsdale in 1984.  By this time, the College had announced that rather than complying with unconstitutional federal regulation, it would instruct its students that they could no longer bring federal taxpayer money to Hillsdale.  Instead, the College would replace that aid with private contributions.

Hillsdale continues to carry out its original mission today, both in the classroom and nationwide, through its many outreach programs, including its monthly speech digest Imprimis.