With coffee in hand, students debated national politics Tuesday during what student leaders hope will become a biweekly chance to talk about global affairs.
Undergraduate Student Government hosted the first "Coffee with the Times," a meeting at the Starbucks location in the W.P. Carey School of Business.
Free coffee, cookies and copies of The New York Times were on hand as political science professor Richard Herrera, this week's speaker, answered questions from about 15 students.
"We wanted to speak to someone who has an in-depth knowledge," USG spokeswoman Annie Ho said.
The event was created to provide students with more information on current events, Ho added.
Conversations focused on what President Bush is doing for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, which hit the Gulf Coast last week.
Herrera said the hurricane may affect future local and national elections, but it's not yet clear who's favor it will be in.
"It depends on who they blame [for the disaster]," he said.
Garret Halbach, a political science freshman, said the event went well despite its noisy location outside the business school.
"I like the discussion," he said.
It also touched upon Bush's recent nomination of John Roberts to the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
"Not a lot is known about John Roberts," Herrera said.
The decision-making process for chief justice will be interesting to watch because of all the attention focused on Hurricane Katrina, he added.
Keridwen Cornelius, an ASU alumna still taking classes, said she saw the event when walking by and decided to stop and join in.
"I think it's interesting to get people's perspective," she said.
Herrera said the event went well and turnout was better than expected.
"It was a pleasure to be here," he told the crowd.
USG makes a good effort to get students involved despite the fact that most students are too busy, Herrera added.
"Coffee with the Times" is one of many events USG will host this semester to get students more involved, Ho said.
"We want to get other professors and guest speakers who can help us inform students," she said.
Reach the reporter at michael.famiglietti@asu.edu.
