Students fight to keep UCSD landmark open

By Kristina Lee

11:28 a.m. PDT, September 21, 2011

SAN DIEGO -- A group of UCSD students is fighting to keep an eccentric landmark open.

"It's that one last place at UCSD that sort of exudes that college atmosphere," said Alex Peterson, UCSD student. "It sort of represents the revolutionary, liberal, young college student."

The Che Cafe opened in 1980 as a co-operative run by students and volunteers. It was named after Ernesto "Che" Guevara, an Argentinian doctor who was a major figure of the Cuban revolution.

It's one of the oldest structures on campus. Built in 1960, the building was turned into a coffee hut in 1966 before becoming the Che Cafe. Today, it's a place for people of all ages to hang radical politics to be practiced and for artist to converge.

The café serves mostly vegan fare. The bathroom walls are used as a canvas.

Jesse Gomez-Villeda, a member of the Che Cafe collective says it's a unique space.

"It's really cool, because it merges people both politically and culturally," said Gomez-Villeda.

The café may be best known for hosting underground concerts from bands like Green Day and Nirvana before they hit it big.

Peterson said he has attended several events there.

"Yeah, I go with my friend, it's a lot of fun," said Peterson. "It's a party at the Che Cafe."

But this party could soon end. The collective must raise $12,000 by March to pay its insurance premium.

Gomez-Villeda said part of the shortfall is the result of miscommunication from past members.

"It's something that has accumulated over time, and it's due to past collective members not necessarily being irresponsible but moving on before showing other members how to take care of the finances," said Gomez-Villeda.

Adding to the financial problems, $5,000 worth of equipment was stolen during a burglary at the café a couple years ago. Replacing it wipe out a big portion of the collective's reserves.

"We are very confident we will raise the money," said Gomez-Villeda. "We really want to keep this place open."

The students have organized several fundraisers to help raise the $12,000 the need. One includes a festival held at the Che Cafe.

More information on events and fundraisers is available the the Che Café website.

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