Snoop Dogg concert decision still on hold

University officials are still waiting to release a decision regarding the pending Snoop Dogg concert, won through an online promotional contest for an Electronic Arts video game.

The contest was facilitated through EA Campus — a part of video game giant Electronic Arts — and Facebook. The University had no knowledge of or involvement in the voting process.

This left no group with the responsibility of facilitating the performance, which — as a promotional event with no tie to University missions — is against facilitation guidelines.

The contest and concert are part of an effort to promote a new EA video game, “Bulletstorm.”

EA representatives at UNC assumed that once the concert was won, it would be managed by the Carolina Union Activities Board.

CUAB, however, can only assist in programming by other student groups, said Kinsey Sullivan, music chairwoman of CUAB, in an email.

“CUAB can’t sponsor with a company where the purpose is exclusively promotional for a non-University related product,” she said.

University facility use policy prohibits such promotional, unaffiliated groups from using campus space for commercial activities.

EA Campus has not applied to be an official campus organization.

CUAB president Tyler Mills said the board is concerned about the repercussions Snoop Dogg’s unfavorable image could have on the University and the Student Union.

“Snoop Dogg has had some legal problems in the past,” Mills said. “He’s a marijuana enthusiast.”

Citing the November arrest of rapper Wiz Khalifa at East Carolina University on drug charges after his performance at that university’s homecoming, Mills said the board is concerned about similar problems occurring at UNC.

“I wouldn’t say that we wouldn’t host (Snoop Dogg), but we’d want to make sure it wouldn’t reflect poorly on our organization or the University,” Mills said.

The main concern regarding CUAB’s involvement in the event is the promotional effort.

Any flyers printed for, or events promoting the concert, could not come from student funds, Sullivan said. CUAB is run solely on a Student Government allocation of student fees.

Should the University decide against hosting the concert on a campus facility, contest guidelines state that the winning school would receive compensation of around $50,000, Mills said.

He said Snoop Dogg generally accepts offers of around $65,000 for his concerts.

It is unsure to whom and for what purpose the money would be allocated.

Contact the Arts Editor at arts@dailytarheel.com.