Posted on 07/02/2009 5:16:13 PM PDT by randita
Merced Sun-Star
Thursday, Jul. 02, 2009
Cost of bringing Michelle Obama to UC Merced? More than $1 million
By DANIELLE GAINES
Dgaines@mercedsun-star.com
The total cost for last month’s commencement ceremony at UC Merced has finally been tallied: $1,047,338.82.
Private contributions of more than $185,000 (including in-kind-gifts) added to $500,000 in unrestricted interest earnings on a private endowment fund, managed by the UC Office of the President, have helped offset the cost of the event.
The balance will be covered by non-state dollars from campus sources and offset by any additional donations that may be made, according to a press release from UC Merced Thursday.
The original budget for the ceremony to commemorate the university’s campus’ first full, four-year graduating class was $100,000, officials on campus said this Spring. That was before Obama confirmed her attendance.
The university rented thousands of white chairs hauled in from around the state and set up a long bank of metal detectors for the big day. Also shipped in were massive jumbo-trons, air-conditioned restroom trailers, an expansive stage and enough sod to cover the ceremony site.
About 38 percent of the budget, or $398,795.99, was spent on audio visual and multimedia needs. Another 28 percent, or $292,504.27, went toward facilities and transportation costs. Those who attended the ceremony were shuttled to campus from parking lots along Lake Road and around town.
Security services added another $122,960 to the bill and rentals cost $159,719.
An estimated crowd of 12,000 attended the afternoon ceremony on May 16, despite sweltering temperatures and a harsh afternoon sun. Almost all members – 511 of 517 – of the graduating class were also on hand.
The university could not release the financial information sooner, the communications department said, because it had to wait for the end of the fiscal year to identify all available funding sources. The 2009-2010 fiscal year began Wednesday.
UC Merced opened on Sept. 5, 2005 with 875 students. Officials expect 3,200 students on campus this coming fall.
Reporter Danielle Gaines can be reached at (209) 385-2407 or dgaines@mercedsun-star.com.
And a price tag of $1,000,000.00. Just wow.
All while Rome burns...
> Almost all members – 511 of 517 – of the graduating class were also on hand. <
The missing 6 will have a bright future. They know she’s a waste of time and would rather use their time for other productive endeavors.
Average cost per student per year in the UC is $25,000. So that is 10 students’ entire 4 year career that were wasted to hear the dumbest and ugliest 1st lady ever.
I wonder how much it cost Notre Dame to bring in Obama?
Gee, I wouldn’t pay 2 cents to listen to this airhead.
This must be one of those indicators that the stimulus has worked and all is going to be fine now.
$400,000 for AV?
$300,000 for transportation?
These people are absolutely insane. A totally bankrupt state paying that much for any speaker is sheer lunacy.
No comment on the character of the speaker.
Bump!
Government waste at it’s finest.
You got that. How soon can we ship her, Bozo and the kids to Kenya?
Think of all the new jobs that were created! /sarc.
It certainly explains WHY the state is bankrupt.
the whole planet is turning left!
That’s what I thot—and of all places to descend—California?!!! Isn’t Merced near where they have caused a drought from shutting off irrigation canals to farmers due to a small smelt/guppy?
what a bargain
sarc
Yes. Nothing, absolutely nothing, gets through to our “public servants.” Are they all stupid when elected? Or does getting elected make you stupid?
Folks....that is the cost of a real education....
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