Palmer Events Center
Disappointed by UT's Plan to Close Cactus
RECEIVED Sat., Feb. 6, 2010
Dear Editor,
As a University of Texas professor of American Studies currently researching contemporary American roots music, I’m disappointed at UT’s plan to close the Cactus Cafe, Austin’s most significant venue for that aspect of our national musical heritage, as iconic as the Victory Grill for blues and the Elephant Room for jazz [“'A' Is for Axed: UT Chops Cactus, Cuts Classes,” News, Feb. 5; “Off the Record,” Music, Feb. 5]. Each new comment from the UT administration seems to add another after-the-fact rationale. If the percentage of nonstudents vs. students in attendance is the reason for shutting the Cactus, then I would recommend UT closely examine such events as readings by authors at the Harry Ransom Center and the Michener Center for Writers, the Distinguished Lecturer series sponsored by the Humanities Institute, and home games of the UT baseball team – all of which may require abolishing for serving majority nonstudent audiences. Or maybe it’s time the administration recognizes a mistake has been made.
As a University of Texas professor of American Studies currently researching contemporary American roots music, I’m disappointed at UT’s plan to close the Cactus Cafe, Austin’s most significant venue for that aspect of our national musical heritage, as iconic as the Victory Grill for blues and the Elephant Room for jazz [“'A' Is for Axed: UT Chops Cactus, Cuts Classes,” News, Feb. 5; “Off the Record,” Music, Feb. 5]. Each new comment from the UT administration seems to add another after-the-fact rationale. If the percentage of nonstudents vs. students in attendance is the reason for shutting the Cactus, then I would recommend UT closely examine such events as readings by authors at the Harry Ransom Center and the Michener Center for Writers, the Distinguished Lecturer series sponsored by the Humanities Institute, and home games of the UT baseball team – all of which may require abolishing for serving majority nonstudent audiences. Or maybe it’s time the administration recognizes a mistake has been made.
Jeff Meikle