Michelle Obama UC Merced visit cost school $1M from USA Today reports that like Michael Jackson's memorial, Michelle Obama's appearance in California cost ten fold more than estimates.
How many scholarships would this amount have covered for needy students? Wouldn't this have been a better use of the money?
Private contributions and interest on a private endowment fund have helped cover the cost. UC spokeswoman Patti Waid Istas said that nonstate dollars and other contributions will be used to cover the remaining balance of around $362,338.
The school had budgeted $100,000 for the May commencement ceremony. The price tag ended up being $1.04 million.
The address attracted about 12,000 visitors, requiring additional transportation, audiovisual and multimedia needs and other items. Obama was neither paid for her appearance nor compensated for travel and security.
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