The Cactus Battle

In 2010, UT administrators shocked the city of Austin, by announcing their intention to close the Cactus Cafe, a 30-year-old campus and community icon. This surprising decision sparked a months-long rebellion by students and community members, complete with mass meetings, rallies, petition and fundraising drives, and intensive negotiation. Austinites, many of whom worked on campus, understood the financial pressures confronting their state university. But they believed that by closing the Cactus, without a word of warning, UT was taking the easy way out. Students and citizens wanted imaginative  solutions that would restore the cafe to its historic profitability, while preserving a meaningful part of local cultural heritage. Here’s a sampling of early reaction.

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UT to close Cactus Cafe, end informal classes 1/30/10

UT defends plan to close Cactus Cafe 2/1/10

Cactus Cafe is about connection 2/4/10

Save the Cactus supporters get organized 2/7/10

Viewpoint: Reconsider the Cactus Cafe 2/9/10

Students, fans, UT administrators debate fate of Cactus Cafe 2/16/10