Those looking for an excuse to rock on campus this semester should not hold their breath for a University Concert Committee (UCC) event. Unlike last year, which by this point had already seen post-grunge rockers Everclear playing a UCC event, there will be no shows sponsored by the organization until the spring.

"So far this fall, we haven't had any shows," UCC Publicity Chair Aaron Null said. "But it's not that we haven't been working on stuff."

The lack of events, Null said, is a result of new policies in the funding the group receives from the University Park Allocation Committee (UPAC).

"Our money dispersal is different now," Null said. "We changed the definition of our multicultural music series, and it's been harder to find acts."

Now, instead of including hip-hop and funk under the multicultural heading, UCC is trying to bring a more diverse range of music to students.

"Almost everybody at Penn State listens to hip-hop," Null said. "It's not exactly exposing students to new kinds of music to bring hip-hop shows here."

Last year saw underground rapper Mos Def's band Black Jack Johnson and funk legends George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic play free shows at Rec Hall, sponsored with multiculturally based UPAC funds. This year, the range of artists will be more diverse.

"We're definitely getting [South African afro-pop group] Ladysmith Black Mambazo in the spring," Null said. "And we're working on David Broza, who's considered by some to be the Israeli Dave Matthews."

Aside from the multicultural shows, UCC plans other big things for spring.

"We have a huge artist in the works for spring," Null said.

"He or she is one of the biggest acts we could possibly get. We're still trying to work on that."

UCC Chairperson Clark Grant said it's not as easy to get artists on campus as it might seem.

"It's kind of difficult sometimes, because for a show we fund, we have to charge a ticket price," Grant said.

"It's hard to compete with the Bryce Jordan Center."

Grant also said it's been a difficult semester in terms of planning.

"We're allotted certain dates, but we have to work around sporting events and other things. It makes things difficult. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't," he said.

UCC has also faced difficulties with the transition between this and last year's committee, Null said.

"The committee has had a lot of turnover this year," he said. "We're rebuilding ourselves, which has caused some of the delay on shows. We have a good vision."

Students seem eager to see more musical events in the Penn State area.

"I wish there were more concerts around campus," Jessica Burke (sophomore-English) said. "It's hard to get anywhere to see anything when you have to think about class."

Null said the committee welcomes input.

"Students should express their ideas to us," Null said. "Our door is open."

Ultimately, Null remains confident that future UCC shows will please students.

"When students come back from winter break, stuff will be up for the things we're planning. It's been a nothing fall, but expect a huge spring," he said.