Save the Cactus Cafe

Like many of my friends, I have been deeply disturbed by the nature of the dialog surrounding the impending fate of the Cactus Cafe - my
favorite listening room in Austin. There's too much to post here about the recent history of what is going on, but I wanted to let you know where I
stand on the issue... this is a brief statement I put today on the UT website where they have invited comments on the decision. I also encourage
you to visit the site and read my friend Tiffany Walker's amazing argument: https://blogs.utexas.edu/cactuscafe/2010/04/06/hello-
world/#comments

Here is what I posted today:

As a graduate of UT Austin (and former academic and athletic scholarship recipient) as well as a working Austin musician, it pains me to see the
Cactus Cafe in any need of defense. The value of this historic venue seems self-evident; unfortunately, that seems not to be the case.

It seems strange to me that I went to the University of Texas to build skills and maturity for a career - and the two things on her 40 acres that most
contributed to the career I have are in danger: The Cactus Cafe - which builds artists' careers rather than focusing on the bottom line one night
at a time, and the Informal Class I took on songwriting that gave me the initial confidence I needed to pen my own songs.

For such a small budget deficit, it seems ludicrous for the University to end such important connections to the surrounding community. How many
part-time jobs will be lost due to the demise of the Informal Class program? I'm sure there are other ways to make up the budget shortfall that will
adversely affect fewer pocketbooks.

As for the Cactus Cafe - what more can be said than has already been said? It is the greatest listening room in town. Despite the University's
refusal to support it with parking or accessible load-in areas and a host of other conveniences, it has continued to receive accolades - not just in
our fair city but across the nation and abroad. And despite personal and petty disagreements and grudges that I suspect are behind its current
threatened existence, I doubt this reputation would be what it is without the longtime dedication of its current staff and management.

I have already heard from many personal friends who are alumni of the University who have made it clear that these recent announcements from
the Union - and the records as they became public - have negatively impacted their desire to continue giving to the University now and in the
future. I wonder: has the school's administration considered the potential loss in financial support from alumni as it has presented poor proposal
after poor proposal and shown itself not able to act or speak in good faith?