Representing Pre-production interview queries

Yeah, so about that spring break. It was a doozy. I spent the week in the sun and in the end, all I got was a lousy reaction to the sunlight causing a bad rash and a severe lack of productivity. And while neither really hurt that bad, they both leave a sting that is only satisfied by scratching at it gently and then vigorously, possibly making them worse.

Anyways, I came up with a preliminary list of ultimate questions that I will grill my interview subjects with. They are, as follows:

• Introduce yourself, name, major, year, etc.
  
• What does the Chief mean to you?
  
• Why do you support the Chief?
  
• When were you first aware of the Chief? How did this initial encounter make you feel?
  
• What do you believe the Chief symbolizes?
  
• Why is it important to have a symbol that embodies those values, especially for our university?
  
• Are the playing fields and ball courts not an appropriate venue for the Chief? Should he and his image be primarily confined to an athletic context?
  
• How would you respond to the anti-Chief movement's argument that the chief embodies racism on campus or is racially insensitive?
  
• What are some other misconceptions surrounding the Chief and why do you believe they are false?
  
• How would you account for the turnout at the February 1 I-Resist forum?
  
• Can you comment on the following incidents:
  
  
  • The NCAA's condemnation of Chief Illiniwek as a "hostile and abusive figure"?
    
  • Recent racially-themed parties?
    
  • The Ogllala Sioux's demand of the return of the Chief's regalia made by Frank Fool's Crow?
    
  • The facebook incident wherein someone threatened to "throw a tomohawk" in someone's face?
    
  • The outcry of alumni who will no longer support the university?
    
  • The alleged profiteering of the Chief's image in the wake of the initial announcement?
  
  
• What is your opinion on what and how we learn and how much we learn about Native American history and culture in an educational setting? How might the Chief fit into this scheme? Do you feel what and how we learn is not truly representitive of Native history and culture?
  
• What can be said about the manner with which the board initially handled this decision?
  
• Who among the pro-Chief student body was consulted on this issue?
  
• What will you do to save the Chief? What must be done to have him appear next September?
  
• What should students do to reinstate the Chief?
  
• Why should students care about this issue?
  
• Can you say "I'm (blank) and I support the Chief" ?
  
• Any other comments or questions that may give insight into the issue?

Yeah that about does it. Now I just have to guarantee some interviewees!