Operations at the Che Cafe, UCSD’s widely renowned music venue and vegan eatery, were halted last month following a missed insurance payment that prompted the Nonprofits’ Insurance Alliance of California to discontinue the Che’s coverage.
Under UCSD’s Master Space Agreement, the venue cannot maintain its lease without insurance. Administrators gave the cafe an initial deadline of Dec. 1 to find a new provider, then extended the deadline until Jan. 1.
The deadline has now been extended indefinitely, and all events are on hold.
The Che has been completely self-sustaining and volunteer-run since it was established in 1980. Insurance costs are the largest expense in the venue’s budget. Coverage demands are extensive and include categories for physical injury, libel and slander.
Che member David Barclay said the co-op has struggled to find a new insurance provider, due in part to the venue’s reputation as a host for freedom of expression and music events that feature independent, hardcore and punk bands.
Despite these difficulties, core members at the co-op remain optimistic that they will find a provider willing to offer coverage, and insist that the cafe’s doors will not be shut permanently.
‘The university has been really understanding,’ Che member Alice Nash said. ‘They could have come down harder on us for not having insurance.’
Nash said increased efforts to open stronger communication between the UCSD administration and the cafe’s core members should lead to less animosity between the two parties, which have clashed over issues of contention in the past. Nash referred to an incident several years ago during which the administration attempted to shut down the cafe, leading core members to defiantly barricade themselves inside the venue.’
The nearly 30-year-old Che Cafe has a rich history and a reputation that extends far beyond UCSD’s boundaries. According to Barclay, the venue was one of the first of its kind in North America to develop as a cooperatively-run political and musical space while doubling as a vegan kitchen.
It has since garnered a large cult following and inspired the creation of similar venues ‘mdash; such as the Smell in Los Angeles ‘mdash; and continues to attract visitors from all over San Diego County and beyond.
Che Cafe performers have included such artists as Simon and Garfunkel, Carlos Santana, Nirvana and former Rage Against the Machine frontman Zack de La Rocha.
The venue also recently hosted an event starring straightedge icon Ian Mackaye of Minor Threat and Fugazi.
Barclay emphasized the inclusive, open-minded nature of the Che and encouraged student participation.
‘Anyone can be a volunteer at the Che Cafe,’ Barclay said. ‘All you have to do is show up and tell someone that you’d like to volunteer. Furthermore, anyone can come to the Che and propose and organize an event. If you want to make something happen, you can make it happen at the Che.’ ‘ Readers can contact Larisa Casillas at [email protected].