URBANA — Uni students will have the opportunity this week to express their thoughts on the 2008 presidential election through a survey slated for distribution in all English classes across every grade level.

The survey, a collaborative effort of four Gargoyle editors, asks students to evaluate and compare Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain on a variety of key issues. In addition to the basic "Who would you vote for" line, the survey includes exit- and opinion-poll-like questions modeled on those asked by professional pollsters at opinion research organizations.

"Most Uni students have well developed opinions, and many are interested in the election, so this mock election is a fun way for Uni students to participate in the absence of the right to participate in the real election," said Gargoyle senior editor Isaac Chambers, one of the survey's designers.

"I think that it's an interesting idea, given the amount of stuff I hear from students every day," junior Andrew LaPointe said of the survey.

Citing Uni's generally liberal student body, some students are doubtful that the results of such a mock election would be of any use.

"Obama would certainly have more people in favor of him on the issues," senior Arif Nelson said. "Because of the polarity that our political system inspires, I doubt that people will openly admit that McCain may have some redeeming qualities."

Others, however, counter that Uni's political climate is more diverse than it might seem, and that the survey's results are worth knowing.

"There are a few really ardent Republicans," said junior Loic Hostetter. "There are people on both sides. … I think [the results] would be very interesting and informative."

The Gargoyle will produce four different forms of the survey, each identical in content but with some question ordering randomized. Still, it should be noted that our survey is not scientific by any means.