SaveTheCactusCafe.org News

In “Parsing the Cactus Proposals” from the Austin Chronicle “Earache!” blog, Richard Whittaker analyzes UT’s three proposals and raises these points, among many others:

Integrative Biology professor David Hillis (Wikipedia article ) is the Alfred W. Roark Centennial Professor of Biology at UT and a current member and former chair of the Faculty Council. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences , a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a MacArthur Foundation Fellow. Here’s a link to a letter he wrote to The Daily Texan about recent events surrounding the Cactus Cafe:

• “ Pride is driving factor in Cactus decision”

This is from the official UT “Cactus Cafe” blog, presumably under the authority of Vice President for Student Affairs, Juan González:

• “New Cactus Cafe Options Considered”

Non-profit rep cites issues with third-party vendors, loss of student employment opportunities and risk of losing venue’s character.

Friends of the Cactus Cafe board member Reid Nelson announced today that he was withdrawing from discussions with the University of Texas Office of Student Affairs regarding future plans for the legendary music venue.

In his letter to Vice-president of Student Affairs, Dr. Juan González and Dean of Students, Dr. Soncia Reagins-Lilly, Nelson cited issues with models being discussed that involve third party vendors in Cactus Cafe operations, and the potential loss of student employment opportunities and continuation of daily cafe and bar operations under such models, as well as how such third-party involvement might affect the fundamental character of the venue.  Additional concerns involved the lack of consideration in the discussions of continuing the current model and retaining the current staff.