The passage of the Higher Education Act was the topic of a roundtable talk on Oct. 5. Hosted by UMass Boston, Senator Edward Kennedy led a panel discussion on the compromise legislation, which upon enactment, would, among other things, cut interest rates on student loans substantially and increase the amount of Pell Grants.
In addition to Chancellor Sherry Penney, Chad Molnar, student trustee, represented UMass Boston on the panel. The other panelists were from Boston College, Stonehill College, Boston University Medical School, and the Boston Public Schools. A question and answer period followed individual commentaries by the panelists.
Members of the audience were encouraged to ask questions by Senator Kennedy, who willingly offered his perspective on what he and his colleagues intended when they reauthorized this legislation.
"Of all the legislation that affects higher education, this bill most directly influences the degree in which a college education is accessible and affordable for thousands of students across the country," said Kennedy. Specific questions on the components of the legislation were the most frequently asked by the audience.