By Garrick Hoffman

Last Wednesday morning, September 3, students gathered around tables in a room of the HUB building for a rare opportunity to speak with Independent U.S. Senator and former Maine Governor Angus King. Present at the meeting as well were President Cantor and staff members.

Comprising the bulk of discussion was higher education and all its implications. King insisted from the beginning that he intended to listen more than speak so he could allow students to share their thoughts, observations, and insights regarding to the topics at hand.

The hour and fifteen minute-long palaver enabled students to do exactly that, from questions pertaining to certain education-related bills, to remarks about the price of textbooks and housing, to inquiries regarding the dizzyingly steep price of college today. King and the students also touched upon the accessibility of information regarding tuition costs.

King voiced his appreciation for the students’ participation, and also extolled the affordability of SMCC.