Staff Editorial: Relays Concert's move off campus is unfortunate

The Penn Relays is an internationally recognized event that lasts several days and includes food, athletics and concerts. It has been a long-standing Penn tradition since 1895, an event that grabs national headlines every year and brings in people from all over the world.

In recent years, however, one of the main appeals of the Penn Relays for University students has been the musical acts brought in to perform. They usually are up-and-coming hip hop and R&B; artists, some of whom have gone on to achieve great success (past examples include Jay-Z and Method Man). This gives interested Penn students an excellent opportunity to see musicians on the cusp of fame showcase their talents in a more personal and affordable setting than future venues might provide.

Unfortunately, this year's performers -- Kanye West, Dilated Peoples and the Young Gunz -- will not be playing on campus; instead, Penn students who wish to see the performance will need to go to the Electric Factory.

This is an unusual break with precedent. We do not think the change of venue, from on campus to off campus, will be a serious impediment to Penn students with a significant amount of interest in seeing the performers. However, it may deter Penn students who are not die-hard fans. For many students, the convenience of having the performance on campus could be the deciding factor for whether or not they choose to attend.

The Penn Relays Concert has a history of bringing in promising and talented young artists, and this year's choices are no exception. However, as it remains a Penn event, and one with a fair amount of tradition attached to it, we would like to see the concert return to an on-campus venue in the future. The Penn Relays brings in people from all over the world; their time here should be focused on experiencing Penn.

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