Some UGA students are objecting to the UGA Homecoming Concert, complaining that it will be held during Jewish holy day Yom Kippur. Complaints also say the band NEEDTOBREATHE, a Christian rock band, is scheduled to perform.
Stan Jackson, the Director of Student Affairs Communications and Marketing Initiatives admits that “some students who observe Yom Kippur may be disappointed with the date chosen,” but adds that “representatives from University Union and UGA Homecoming are in correspondence with Jewish student organizations such as Hillel at UGA and Chabad at UGA to explain the logistics that required that date to be selected.”
His full statement explains those logistics. Read it below:
“As part of UGA’s Homecoming Week (October 10 – 15), University Union and UGA Homecoming, two student-funded and student-led organizations announced the Homecoming Concert for October 11, headlined by popular rock band, NEEDTOBREATHE.
The student groups compare several performers each year in terms of popularity, not content, and strive to select an artist that will appeal to as many students and community members as possible. In past years, this objective process has yielded selections of performers from a diverse array of genres, including country, rap, folk, rock, and bluegrass.
NEEDTOBREATHE’s music airs on Top 20 radio stations, and has been featured in soundtracks for movies such as P.S. I Love You and tv shows such as Prison Break and Desperate Housewives. Their song, “Brother,” was a popular choice for network sports coverage over the past year, including serving as the soundtrack for UGA football’s Spring hype video. The band has enjoyed success across genres, charting highly on Billboard’s Hot 100, Adult Pop, Alternative, Christian Contemporary, and Rock rankings.
Anticipating high interest from students and the community, Union and Homecoming determined that Stegeman Coliseum was the most appropriate venue to host the concert. The only date Stegeman was available was October 11, 2016, which conflicts with Yom Kippur. Some students who observe Yom Kippur may be disappointed with the date chosen. Representatives from University Union and UGA Homecoming are in correspondence with Jewish student organizations such as Hillel at UGA and Chabad at UGA to explain the logistics that required that date to be selected.
We care deeply about the entire community, and look forward to students and community members coming together to enjoy the weeklong celebration of Homecoming.”
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Show Comments (1)
isidora walsh
well, here’s more in that “war on christianity” perhaps hobby lobby will provide the pom poms and chik filet, the food. one would think, in a political atmosphere rife with discrimination, xenophobia and ignorance of all things non christian, that MAYBE students in an atmosphere of higher education would be somewhat sensitive..guess nit, but hey orangemen will be pleased..wait til jesus finds out, this was his high holy day..better hope it doesn’t rain.
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