Real deal rapper 50 Cent is causing quite the stir in Oxford. There are 4,000-plus students rapturously anticipating his April 23 sellout performance at Miami University's Millett Hall, and one over-anxious city manager fearing the worst.

"My concerns are for health and safety both before and after the concert," said Oxford City Manager Jane Howington. "The lack of communication between Miami University and the city has left Oxford unsecured."

She said Miami's Web site is the only place concert-goers can find out that the event is sold-out, so she fears crowds wanting to buy tickets at the door will become upset and take their disappointment out on the town. "[They] could drop into bars and create a ruckus," Howington said. "It's happened at other venues where 50 Cent has performed."

50 Cent has often performed to sold-out crowds before, including at Cincinnati's Bogart's this past Sunday. But that concert seated only 1,464 and it went off without a hitch. The rapper also awed more than 8,000 West Virginia University students Tuesday night, twice the size of the expected Miami crowd, with no problems.

Since the beginning of April, Miami University police Chief Cathryn House has talked with all of the venues where 50 Cent has performed. She said that there has been no adverse impact on any of the concert communities. The few problems that have occurred were all routine, such as traffic flow in and out of the buildings. "This is nothing different than Oxford on a Friday or Saturday night," House said.

Concerts like 50 Cent should be encouraged in Oxford, not just by Miami and its students, but by city officials as well. At a university that is constantly ridiculed for its small percentage of minority students (8.4 percent), rather than praised for its significant advancements in multicultural enrollment and programs, city support should be expected.

Howington should trust Miami and its police and enjoy the show. If she can manage to get a ticket, she might be pleasantly surprised.

- Jennifer Nagle