Oral History Interview Guide: Vanguard Participants I. Biographical Information Birthdate and birthplace Father's name; mother's maiden name; siblings; extended family Parents birthplace Father's work; mother's work Family's daily life and special remembrances -- chores, birthdays, holidays, vacation Family's cultural, political, religious life Experience growing up during the Depression Interviewee's education -- primary and secondary; subjects favored and hated; interactions with teachers; social environment; extracurricular activities; parent's expectations; own expectations and plans II. College Life When and why attended Brooklyn College History of other family members attending college Subjects studied -- classes/professors liked and disliked -Were your professors politically active? Major field(s) of interest Extracurricular activities (involvement in political, social, religious, cultural organizations) Aware of national and international politics: Cold War and McCarthyism III. Vanguard Background How heard about it and why and when joined Role and responsibilities on the newspaper Kinds of articles she wrote Extent of involvement Focus and political orientation of newspaper Who were the other journalists: -political orientation (were there communist students on staff if so, effect on paper and other students) -ethnic, racial, gender composition -gender equality on newspaper? -vets Social relations on paper: Did you carry on friendships outside of paper? Have dates with fellow journalists? Crushes? How did staff get along? Were there conflicts? What were they? How did they get resolved? Involvement of faculty advisor, did s/he read and edit articles? Impact of newspaper on campus? Was there a competing paper? -What did family think of involvement with newspaper? -Did you discuss issues with family members and friends?   Suspension of Newspaper and Students Describe events that led up to the paper being shut down? How did it happen describe scenario Were you surprised by Gideonse's actions (as students what did you know about Gideonse before the suspension?) How were you affected? How did you and others respond? Why were students suspended? Who was suspended? How did you and others respond? How did others on campus not involved with paper respond (students, faculty, staff) How did others off campus respond (families, media, political organizations) Were you involved in Draugnav? If so, what was that experience like? What kind of paper did you produce? What happened to Draugnav? During any of these events were you scared, angry, exhilarated, empoweredÄ? What did you learn about yourself during this time? What did you learn about college life, Brooklyn College, America? IV. Post Vanguard Life What impact did this experience have on the rest of your college career? What impact did the experience have on decisions and choices you made after college? Post-college academic and professional pursuits Post-college political involvements Post-college family life, children etc. On-going relationships with Vanguard colleagues?
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