The free Snoop Dogg concert is coming — but it’s going to be in Raleigh. Electronic Arts has committed to providing free transportation, but a Chapel Hill venue still would have been much more convenient for the students who won the contest.
It seems that EA had unrealistic expectations about the amount of time and coordination it would take to get the event at UNC. EA let students down by insisting the concert happen so soon, and scheduling it on Easter weekend — when many won’t be around to enjoy it.
Originally, EA Campus Representative Tyler Bronzino said that UNC was not receptive to having the concert on campus.
But Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Christopher Payne said that administrators were open to working with EA. They were in the process of collecting more information when EA announced they were moving the concert out of town.
If the concert has to be held in Raleigh, EA and the University should work together to address concerns to make sure it is still a success.
It isn’t really clear where the breakdown in communication occurred, but that shouldn’t get in the way of addressing joint concerns like providing adequate transportation and ensuring that the concert remains a private event for UNC students.
It’s great that EA is providing transportation. But it may be difficult to estimate student attendance because the April 23 date falls on Easter weekend when many students go out of town.
EA needs to make sure that they provide transportation that meets student demand and that they keep students well informed of their options.
Moving the concert to N.C. State’s backyard also raises concerns about keeping it a private event for UNC students.
