It seems politics is a dish best served with cream and sugar; at least it is for Sacramento State students.

Ads have been posted throughout the university inviting people to join in on the lively conversations that take place at the Baghdad Cafe, nestled just off the pedestrian bridge near Sac State.

The monthly meetings, which are titled “Coffee and Politics,” began last semester.

“We wanted a place where people could just talk,” said John Kincaid, a senior at Sac State. Kincaid said that he has been active in politics for many years and has been attending “Coffee and Politics” on a regular basis.

The crowd at the cafe mainly consists of students from Campus Peace Action, a political activist group at Sac State, which pushes a liberal agenda. However, those in attendance said that the idea behind “Coffee and Politics,” is to include everyone regardless of political affiliation.

“A lot of people drop by after their classes,” said Heather Woodford, a Sac State senior and president of Campus Peace Action.

Meeting regulars said that the first “Coffee and Politics” event attracted about 30 students, but attendance varies. At the cafe, students engage in a range of issues dealing with both national and local concerns.

Common topics include the budget crisis facing California and the situation in Iraq. Fliers are also spread across various tables at the event, helping to keep students informed about upcoming political activities.

Not everyone that visits “Coffee and Politics” is a political expert or a government major. Doug Sapola, a student at Sac State and president of the Philosophy Club, added to the political conversation of the night with a philosophical perspective.

“I’m trying to get more involved in politics,” Sapola said.

Many college-aged citizens throughout the country have a reputation for being uninterested in politics. According to a recent survey completed by the U.S. Census Bureau, citizens between the ages of 18-24 are less likely to vote compared to all eligible age groups. “Many (people between the ages of) 18-24 are in a transitional stage where things are less defined,” said Sac State professor Ken Debow, who instructs students in government. “Many who don’t vote now will later, when they have a clearer self-definition of their stakes in the political game.”

Kincaid believes that students are becoming more politically aware of problems that matter to them. He cites issues like fee increases as subjects that resonate with students.

“Students can’t avoid (politics) cause it’s coming right to their front door,” Kincaid said.

Students at “Coffee and Politics” talked about the proposed fee increases among other issues. For Sac State senior Lesley McCann, the event offers an opportunity to address problems she would normally only read about.

“Every person has their own special issue that they’re concerned about,” McCann said. Those at the cafe hope that forums like “Coffee and Politics” will help encourage greater political interest among Sac State students.

The group plans to meet again at the same location at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 20.