The University of Texas has announced that, after more than 25   years as one Austin’s most beloved musical landmarks, the Cactus Cafe is closing its doors.

The closing of the Cactus Cafe is part of a series of cuts that UT officials announced  Friday, according to the Austin American-Statesman. 

Although the university’s overall budget has increased 2.8 percent since Sept. 1,  state officials including  Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst urged state agencies to reduce their budgets by Feb. 15.

In accordance with the state-wide reductions, UT plans to cut 5 percent from the state-funded portion of its two-year budget.

The Cactus Cafe, as well as the university’s informal class program, were deemed expendable because they are primarily used by non-students. University officials intend to use their budget to better benefit students enrolled full-time in regular classes.

But that neglects the fact that both the Cactus Cafe and UT’s informal classes have been heavily attended by Austin residents for nearly three decades. 

The Cactus Cafe is prized by locals because of its unique setting (the venue seats roughly 150 people), which is ideal for intimate acoustic performances.

The nationally-recognized venue is located on the bottom floor of the Texas Union Building on the main drag of Guadalupe Street. Since it opened in Feb. 1979, it has been host to renowned musical artists such as Lucinda Williams, Lyle Lovett, Ani DiFranco and Townes Van Zandt, among many others. It has also been a jumping-off place for many successful music careers.

Tuesday night, UT’s budget was the subject at a universitywide town hall meeting which was open to the public.  The closing of the Cactus Cafe was expected to be discussed and heavily debated.

The news of UT’s decision came as a shock to the music community since the Cactus Cafe is an iconic and defining part of Austin’s music scene.

Though UT is saving money in its budget by closing the venue, they are arguably losing something priceless.

In shutting down the Cactus Cafe, the university is doing away with one of the great treasures of Austin’s music history in a city that prides itself on its musical heritage.

Certainly something not as beloved nor as defining as the Cactus Cafe could be sacrificed in order to meet the university’s budget cut.