Student Friends of the Cactus Cafe

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Texas Union Board member Dr. Tom Garza to present student proposal as alternative to SEC ‘repurposing’ plan

In response to a recently proposed plan by the UT Student Events Center (SEC), the Student Friends of the Cactus Cafe (SFOTCC) hereby introduces an alternative proposal drafted by both graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Texas at Austin with input from key members of the Austin community, UT faculty and staff, local musicians and music professionals. The SFOTCC proposal retains the daily operations and professional management of the Cactus Cafe and establishes the Cactus Cafe Student Initiatives Program, which has tremendous potential for interconnectedness with existing academic programs and provides students with active roles in managing, booking, and performing in the Cactus Cafe, through internship and student artist-in-residence programs. The SFOTCC proposal’s Student Initiatives Program will be supported, in part, by funding from the local non-profit organization, Friends of the Cactus Cafe.

Dr. Tom Garza, a three-year veteran of the Texas Union Board submitted our draft proposal to the Board amid concerns that the student body was not adequately represented in the Jan 29 decision to ‘phase out’ the Cactus Cafe. Finally, we welcome our fellow UT students (undergraduate and graduate), staff, faculty, administration and the Austin community to make comments and suggestions on our proposal before Friday’s Texas Union Board meeting. We sincerely invite the Texas Union Board and UT administration to work with all those who have a stake in the future of the Cactus Cafe.

Most Sincerely,

Student Friends of the Cactus Cafe

Download SFOTCC Draft Proposal

Download Statement of Rationale

Download Press Release for SFOTCC Proposal

Download Letter from Dr. Garza to Texas Union Board RE: SFOTCC Proposal