The Michigan Daily: Hey, is Drew there?
Random: No, he’s out, can I take a message?
TMD: Oh, ok. I’m from The Michigan Daily and wanted to interview Drew for the Random Student Interview. Do you want to do it instead?
R: Um, sure.
TMD: So what’s your name?
R: Heath
TMD: Like Heath Ledger the movie star?
R: Haha, sadly no, Heath’s pretty hot. I can’t touch that.
TMD: Interesting. Ok, Michigan is considered a very liberal campus. Do you think this is true or is it all talk?
R: Well, I guess we’re pretty liberal, but only a few kids really get active; most people are really lazy.
TMD: There are a lot of protest rallies on campus, but only a small part of the student body seems to participate. Would you ever participate in a rally?
R: Probably not. I don’t think that kind of protest does anything.
TMD: If you could protest anything you wanted in a rally, what would it be?
R: Hmmm. Maybe if we could petition for the ability to vote bad GSIs – out survivor style.
TMD: Ann Arbor has a lot of homeless people for its size. Do you ever give money out to bums on the streets?
R: One time, I had a pizza and I tried to give a slice to one. He got kinda mad and asked for money, but I haven’t tried since then.
TMD: Have you ever noticed that they seem to disappear in January and February? Do you think they hibernate or migrate south?
R: Uh, I never really thought of that, I guess a little of both; it’d be a good graduate thesis paper.
TMD: Have you ever met Shakey Jake?
R: Only when I came to visit on campus day – I think they haul him out as an attraction for visitors. I haven’t seen him since I came here.
TMD: Do you have any Shakey Jake merchandise?
R: He has merchandise?
TMD: Yeah! Like postcards or bumper stickers?
R:: Oh, um, no I haven’t seen that.
TMD: Have you ever strutted your stuff in the Naked Mile?
R: Not yet, maybe when I’m a senior.
TMD: Know anyone who has?
R: Yeah, a guy who did a couple years ago.
TMD: Do you agree that participants should be arrested?
R: No, it’s not like people are trying to be criminal. They’re just carrying on a tradition.
TMD: What about the people who go just to film the naked people, then post their pictures on websites?
R: That’s sad, it ruins the fun. I suppose creepy guys don’t mind though.
TMD: Have you ever been to the Ann Arbor Art Fair?
R: No, that’s in the summer, right?
TMD: Yeah. Some people think Michigan’s student body is on the unattractive side. Do you agree?
R: Unfortunately yeah. I’ve visited friends at (Michigan) State and they’ve come here. We all agree it’s pretty bad here.
TMD: Do you think that most of the campus’ attractive people are in sororities and fraternities?
R: Depends on the house, but overall I’d say yes. Especially with some of the sororities, I think several pick based on looks.
TMD: What’s your library of choice?
R: Law Library
TMD: Why do you like it best?
R: No distractions there.
TMD: Which library has the hottest girls – or guys if that’s your thing?
R: Um, I’d say the Law Library again, but libraries aren’t the place to look.
TMD: If you could, briefly state your feelings on the war.
R: Oh, well this is unpopular on campus, but I think the war is a necessary evil, no authority doubts Saddam has banned weapons, and sanctions are just killing more Iraqis than any war would cost, it’s unfortunate though, either way the people suffer.
TMD: Wow, sounds like you’ve thought about that before.
R: People talk about it a lot, so I’ve been there before, yeah.
TMD: So, besides Bush, if you could have any former president in office right now, dead or alive, who would it be?
R: Um, I think James K. Polk.
TMD: Why him?
R: There’s a They Might Be Giants song about him.
TMD: Why not Millard Fillmore?
R: No idea what he did.
TMD: In 1856, he got a nomination from the Know Nothing Party.
R: Oh, I didn’t know that.
TMD: Do you still live in the dorms?
R: Yeah.
TMD: Do you think that the housing situation at the University is a problem?
R: Not too much. Housing is too expensive in town.
TMD: What should be done about it?
R: I think maybe the city should put a cap on student housing.
TMD: Have you ever done it anywhere on campus or know someone who has?
R:: Haha, well while I’m at school here on campus, but not in a school building if that’s what you mean.
TMD: Would that make you feel squeamish if someone did do it in a building on campus?
R: Um, I guess I wouldn’t really care if somebody else did.
TMD: Are you involved in the community at all, like volunteering?
R: No, but I should, I feel bad now that I don’t.
TMD: Do you think that Ann Arbor is the University or can the city stand on its own?
R: I think the University has to be here. I don’t know anything else important centered here.
TMD: Who has the right of way- cars or students?
R: The students.
TMD: Consumer Reports has rated us as the most spirited school before. Do you think this is true?
R: With football, yeah, but not other sports. We have some really good fans for other sports. I just don’t think the majority of the campus gets into those much.
TMD: Do you regularly attend the sports events here?
R: I go to all the football games and a couple basketball and hockey games. I’m no superfan.
TMD: Are you superstitious?
R: Not really.
TMD: Did you walk across the Diag ‘M’ before completing your first bluebook?
R: Yeah, I did by accident.
TMD: Are you worried about how that might affect you?
R: No I did fine on my exams.
TMD: Do you think it’s going to be an early spring?
R: It should be. It’s been way too cold this year, but I think we’ll freeze through finals. Then it’ll be nice just as I’m leaving.
TMD: Ok, that’s it. Thanks for your time.